The mechanical performance of hybrid phenol-formaldehyde-based composites reinforced with glass and oil palm fibres

Oil palm fibre was hybridised with glass fibre in order to achieve superior mechanical performance. The reinforcing effect of glass in phenol formaldehyde resin is evaluated at various glass fibre loadings. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural strength increase with an increase in fibre loading. However, elongation at break and flexural modulus are found to decrease beyond 40 wt.% fibre loading. Impact strength and the density of the composites showed similar trends. Compared to the gum sample, hardness of the composites decreased by glass fibre reinforcement. The hybrid effect of glass fibre and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre on the tensile, flexural and impact response of the composites was investigated. Randomly oriented glass and OPEFB fibre mats were arranged as interlayers to enhance the hybrid effect. The overall performance of the composites was improved by the glass fibre addition. Impact strength shows great enhancement by the introduction of a slight amount of glass fibre. Density of the hybrid composite decreases as the volume fraction of the OPEFB fibre increases. Hardness of the composites also showed a slight decrease on an increased volume fraction of OPEFB fibre. Scanning electron micrographs and optical photographs of the fractured surfaces were taken to study the failure mechanism and fibre/matrix interface adhesion. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions. The hybrid effect of glass and OPEFB fibre was also calculated.

[1]  O. Ishai,et al.  Interlaminar fracture toughness and toughening of laminated composite materials: a review , 1989 .

[2]  G. Kretsis,et al.  A review of the tensile, compressive, flexural and shear properties of hybrid fibre-reinforced plastics , 1987 .

[3]  J. Karger‐Kocsis.  Instrumented impact fracture and related failure behavior in short- and long-glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene , 1993 .

[4]  C. Pavithran,et al.  Impact properties of sisal-glass hybrid laminates , 1991 .

[5]  C. Zweben.  Tensile strength of hybrid composites , 1977 .

[6]  J. Karger‐Kocsis.  Fracture and Failure Behavior of Glass Fiber Mat-Reinforced Structural Nylon Rim Composites , 1992 .

[7]  A. Błędzki,et al.  Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres , 1999 .

[8]  Kishore,et al.  Compressive strength of jute-glass hybrid fibre composites , 1983 .

[9]  M. Miwa,et al.  Effects of fibre length on tensile strength of carbon/glass fibre hybrid composites , 1994, Journal of Materials Science.

[10]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Oil palm fibers: Morphology, chemical composition, surface modification, and mechanical properties , 1997 .

[11]  H. Wagner,et al.  Hybrid effects in composites: conditions for positive or negative effects versus rule-of-mixtures behaviour , 1978 .

[12]  J. Karger‐Kocsis,et al.  Comparison of the fracture and failure behavior of polypropylene composites reinforced by long glass fibers and by glass mats , 1995 .

[13]  Kenneth J. Bowles,et al.  Void Effects on the Interlaminar Shear Strength of Unidirectional Graphite-Fiber-Reinforced Composites , 1992 .

[14]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  UTILIZATION OF SHORT OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH FIBER (OPEFB) AS A REINFORCEMENT IN PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESINS: STUDIES ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES , 1996 .

[15]  I. K. Varma,et al.  Composites of glass/modified jute fabric and unsaturated polyester resin , 1989 .

[16]  Pj Piet Lemstra,et al.  Hybrid composites based on polyethylene and carbon fibres Part 3: Impact resistant structural composites through damage management , 1990 .

[17]  Keith D. Jones,et al.  Fiber fracture in hybrid composite systems , 1994 .

[18]  N. L. Hancox,et al.  Fibre composite hybrid materials , 1981 .

[19]  Pj Piet Lemstra,et al.  Hybrid composites based on polyethylene and carbon fibres Part 2: influence of composition and adhesion level of polyethylene fibres on mechanical properties , 1990 .

[20]  Yan Li,et al.  Sisal fibre and its composites: a review of recent developments , 2000 .