Work

Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Areca and Abaca Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Renewable-source composites have become important substitute materials for industrial and technical applications in design and production. Natural fiber (NF) composites have emerged as premium materials relative to standard fiber composites, owing to their direct production process, improved fiber content, reduced polluting base content, lightweight qualities, and incineration capabilities. The growing concern for environmental cleanliness necessitates the search for maintainable alternative materials to substitute conventional ones already in use. Natural fibers function as a viable alternative reinforcement material owing to their wide availability in fibrous form and minimal extraction expenses. This study involves the preparation of environmentally friendly green composites using Areca fiber (ARF) and Abaca fiber (ABF) with epoxy and the assessment of their mechanical behaviours. The incorporation of nano-SiO₂ as a filler in hybrid fiber composites plays a crucial role in enhancing mechanical properties by reinforcing the matrix and improving fiber-matrix bonding. The findings demonstrated that the flexural, tensile, and impact characteristics of the hybrid composites were significantly improved at 76% ABF, 20% ARF and 4% nano-SiO2, and that hybridization mitigated environmental impacts. The inner composition of the broken surface, failure morphology and fiber delamination are examined by SEM examination.

Source: Journal of Environmental Nanotechnology

DOI: 10.13074/jent.2024.12.244977