An Experimental Study on Sisal/Hemp Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites

Environmental concerns motivate the use of cellulose fibers since bio-composites decompose easily in nature and low cost compare to synthetic fibers. Present paper investigates the mechanical properties and moisture absorption performance of different wt. % of sisal/hemp fiber incorporated epoxy resin hybrid composites. Sisal and hemp fiber surfaces were treated by 10% NaOH solution to enhance the bonding characteristic between fiber and epoxy resin. Hybrid composites were prepared by traditional cold pressing method. A 40 wt. % of sisal/hemp fiber reinforced hybrid composite discloses maximum flexural and compression strength. Absorption of water increases with fiber loading. Morphological analyses are carried out to analyze the fractured surface by using Scanning Electron Microscope and reported. The experimental result also discloses that the sisal and hemp fibers are promising reinforcement for use in low cost bio-composites which have high strength to weight ratio. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.