Fabrication and Characterization of Kenaf and Kevlar Fibre Reinforced Graphene Filled Hybrid Composite Laminates for Engineering Applications
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The present study investigates the mechanical properties of hybrid polymer composites reinforced with Kenaf and Kevlar-29 fibres, enhanced with graphene powder as a dopant. The novelty of this research lies in the synergistic combination of natural and synthetic fibres with graphene to optimize strength and hardness, providing a sustainable yet high-performance composite solution. Laminated plates were fabricated using a hand layup technique with graphene loadings ranging from 0.5 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%, and three distinct stacking configurations were explored: (1) Kenaf as outer layers with Kevlar-29 in between, (2) Kevlar-29 as outer layers with Kenaf in between, and (3) alternating Kenaf and Kevlar-29 layers. Flexural and hardness tests revealed that graphene loadings of 0.5 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% significantly improved flexural strength, particularly in Kenaf- Kevlar hybrid configurations. However, lower graphene concentrations (0.5 wt.%–1 wt.%) led to reduced hardness. The optimal performance was observed at 1 wt.%–1.5 wt.% graphene, attributed to its uniform dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion. These findings highlight the effectiveness of graphene in enhancing the mechanical properties of Kenaf- and Kevlarreinforced composites while emphasizing the importance of mitigating nanoparticle aggregation. This work provides a novel approach to balancing sustainability with high-performance reinforcement in polymer composites. Major Findings: The Graphene filler at 1 wt.%–1.5 wt.% significantly enhances flexural strength and hardness in Kenaf- Kevlar composites. However, lower graphene loadings (0.5 wt.%–1 wt.%) reduce hardness. Optimal performance is achieved through uniform dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion while avoiding graphene aggregation in the Keanf-Kevlar Hybrid Composites.
Institutions: Bangalore University, Visvesvaraya Technological University
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4411152981