Investigation of physical, mechanical, tribological and biodegradable properties of hybrid natural fibre reinforced polymer composite

Abstract

This study has investigated the effect of natural fibres such as kenaf, coconut and jute and their combination as reinforced in an epoxy polymer matrix natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) on mechanical properties (impact, flexural, tensile strength and hardness), thermal stability, tribological properties and biodegradability. The raw fibres were chemically treated with 3% NaOH for 24 h, and 10 wt.% was blended in the epoxy matrix. Further, a composite surface morphology and fibre dispersion were analysed using a scanning electron microscope. An improvement of an average of 30.39%, 1157.7% and 30.98% in impact strength, hardness and tensile strength, respectively, compared to pure epoxy composite. Further, the tribological study has shown a lesser frictional coefficient (∼0.275) in hybrid NFRP than in other composites where EN31 Steel disc is used as the counterbody. Moreover, the mixed NFRP has demonstrated excellent biodegradable properties compared to other NFRP and pure composites.