Effect of Fiber Percentage and Stacking Sequence on Mechanical Performance of Unidirectional Hemp and Palmyra Reinforced Hybrid Composites

Effect of Fiber Percentage and Stacking Sequence on Mechanical Performance of Unidirectional Hemp and Palmyra Reinforced Hybrid Composites

Varanasi Lakshmi NarayanaLokavarapu Bhaskara Rao Siva Bhaskara Rao Devireddy 

School of Mechanical & Building Sciences, VIT University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600, India

Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Ann's College of Engineering and Technology, Andhra Pradesh 523187, India

Corresponding Author Email: 
vlakshmi.narayana2014@vit.ac.in
Page: 
153-160
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.18280/rcma.303-405
Received: 
3 May 2020
|
Revised: 
25 May 2020
|
Accepted: 
2 June 2020
|
Available online: 
31 August 2020
| Citation

© 2020 IIETA. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

The use of natural fiber reinforced composites gains attention due to its weight and reasonable strength in the recent years. Generally, the mechanical performance of the hybrid composites are superior than the mono fiber reinforced composites. In this work, two different types of natural fibers, namely hemp and palmyra fibers, are selected as reinforcement materials for the development of unidirectional fiber reinforced hybrid composites. Composite laminate was fabricated with four different weight percentages (10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 30 wt.% and 40 wt.%) and three different hybrid ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1) of hemp and palmyra. The influence of fiber percentage and stacking sequence on the mechanical performance such as tensile strength, flexural strength, impact energy, and hardness of the hybrid composites was evaluated. From the results, it was observed that the adding 30 wt. % of hemp and palmyra fiber can increase the tensile strength and flexural strength by a percentage of 112% and 241% respectively. The impact energy absorption and the hardness of the hybrid composites are examined and compared. The experimental results shows that the hybrid composites containing high fiber weight percentage contribute to significant increase in impact energy and hardness. Morphological analysis is done using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Keywords: 

hybrid composites, mechanical properties, natural fibers, scanning electron microscope, water absorption

1. Introduction

Natural fibers are ecofriendly, low cost, low density, and sustainable natural resources that have been a significant demand in recent years. Current production trends shows that these materials are established as reinforcement material in the use of structural, automobile parts, nonstructural and composite panels. The natural fibers such as jute, vakka, hemp, sisal, date, coir, bamboo, banana, elephant grass, areca, flax, abaca, pineapple, kenaf, and husk fiber are the extensively used fibers for fabricating the polymer composites. Recently, many research works are going on in this field [1-4]. For instance, Shibata et al. [5] investigated the effect of fiber loading on flexural properties of the unidirectional bamboo and kenaf fiber reinforced composites and the results revealed that the optimum flexural modulus is obtain at 60 vol.% for kenaf fiber and 72 vol.% for bamboo fiber. Similarly, Maleque et al. [6] have studied the flexural and impact properties of woven banana fiber reinforced epoxy composites and their results indicated that the impact strength and flexural strength by 40 and 38% respectively. Neves et al. [7] studied the comparative mechanical properties of hemp fiber reinforced composites by using the matrix epoxy and polyester. From the study it was reported that the epoxy composites gives maximum tensile and flexural properties as compared to polyester composites.

Recently, researchers investigated that hybridization with two or more natural fibers in the matrix material to prepare hybrid composites which will improve the properties that cannot be found in single type of reinforcement [8]. Bledzki et al. [9] studied the mechanical characteristics of unidirectional hemp and flax fiber reinforced epoxy composites. From the results it is concluded that by addition of reinforcement the modulus and strength of the hybrid composites are improved. In another study, the effect of fiber loading and hybridization on mechanical properties of short randomly oriented sisal and banana fibers reinforced polyester composites were evaluated by Idicula, et al. [10]. The results revealed that the hybrid composite with 40% volume fraction and relative volume ratio of banana and sisal 3:1 shows the maximum tensile strength, flexural strength and impact energy as compared to other weight ratios 1:1 and 1:3. Devireddy and Biswas [11] investigated the mechanical properties of unidirectional banana and jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites. It is observed that the mechanical properties of hybrid composite materials give best results when compared with the individual banana and jute fiber composites. Tensile and impact properties of sisal and coconut sheath fiber reinforced polyester hybrid composites has been evaluated by kumar et al. [12].The experimental results indicated that the stacking sequence plays an important role and the composite stack with coconut sheath/sisal/coconut sheath is given the better properties.

Velmurugan and Manikandan [13] studied the mechanical performance of palmyra and glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites and it is found that the palmyra fiber as core and glass fiber as skin exhibits improved mechanical properties. Despite the numerous advantages offered by natural fibres, these materials are susceptibility to water absorption. Water absorption percentage of the newly developed composite is one important characteristic that needs to be observed because this controls the end use applications. Jawaid et al. [14] evaluated the water absorption and density of the oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB)/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The composite prepared with EFB/jute/EFB stacking sequence gives better resistance to water absorption as compared to composite with stacking sequence jute/EFB/jute. Sathish et al. [15] investigated the effect of stacking sequence and fiber orientation on the thermal and mechanical properties of banana and kenaf reinforced epoxy composites and the result indicated that the composite fabricated with 450 fiber orientation has improved properties than the others. The influence of stacking sequence on the impact damage mechanisms of flax and basalt reinforced epoxy composites was evaluated by Ricciardi et al. [16]. From the results it is evidenced that the damage propagation and characteristics are affected by the hybridization and stacking sequence. Bharath et al. [17] investigated the impact of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of coconut leaf sheath/jute/E-glass reinforced composites. The revealed that the stacking sequence plays an important role to improve the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact energy and hardness of the hybrid composites.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fiber is one of the oldest natural fiber second largest grown bast fiber in world after jute. Hemp fiber does not need any additional investment in terms of fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides to grow well [18]. The high stiffness and strength of hemp fibers makes them a as reinforcement material in composite fabrication. Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) is another most important natural fiber and widely used in the region of South-East Asia and Africa because of its advantages like high modulus of rigidity, high tensile strength, and flexural strength are imparted along the longitudinal direction. The above review shows that there is a lot research works had been done on the hybrid composites, but the studies on the of effect of stacking sequence and development of hybrid composites reinforced with hemp fiber and palmyra fiber as a constitutes in lesser dimension. In this connection, the present study establishes the physical and mechanical properties of hemp and palmyra reinforced hybrid composites for better utilization of agricultural waste materials for making value added products.

2. Experimental

2.1 Materials

Hemp and palmyra fibers are used for composite fabrication, testing, and to study the physical and mechanical characteristics. The unidirectional hemp fiber was procured from the local market and the palmyra fiber is extracted from outer bask of the palm tree from a local sources.  The physical, mechanical and chemical properties of hemp and palmyra fibers are presented in Table 1. The cellulous, pectin, lignin and microfibril angle plays a significant role in the mechanical properties of the composites. The unidirectional continuous hemp and palmyra fibers were chopped into 30cm length and prepared in a layers form as shown in Figure 1. The epoxy matrix (LY 556) and with the hardener (HY 951) were supplied by Sree industrial composite products, Hyderabad.

Table 1. Properties of hemp and palmyra fiber

Property

Hemp fiber

Palmyra fiber

Density (g/cm3)

1.47

1.03

Tensile strength (MPa)

200-240

290-350

Tensile modulus (GPa)

3.5-4.0

5-5.4

% elongation

2-4

2-4.5

Cellulous content (%)

74.4

49.6

Hemicelluloses (%)

17.9

18

Lignin content (%)

3.7

21.2

Moisture content (%)

12

12.08

Figure 1. Individual layers of (a) Plamyra fiber and (b) Hemp fiber

2.2 Composite preparation

The unidirectional hybrid composite laminates were fabricated by hand layup process. The fibers are orientated uniformly in the longitudinal direction attachment to attain the unidirectional material property. The layers were arranged by varying stacking sequences as well as keeping the relative hybrid ratios of the hemp and palmyra as 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2. The unidirectional hemp and palmyra fibers were arranged three different stacking sequences as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Arrangement of fibers in stacking sequence (a) HPHPHP (b) HHPPHH (c) PPHHPP

Twelve different types of hybrid composites were prepared with various weight percentage of reinforcement 10 wt. %, 20 wt. % 30 wt. % and 40 wt. % as shown in Table 2. A mold release sheet and mold release spray was used for easy removal of the hybrid composite. The blending ratio of the epoxy resin and the corresponding hardener is 10:1 by weight is applied between layers of fibers for an effective binding. During the composite fabrication the air gaps and voids are removed carefully by means of a roller. After rolling, the mold is closed and loaded under the compressive pressure for proper curing at atmospheric temperature for 48 hrs. After the curing process, the composite samples were cut to the cut into necessary dimensions given in the ASTM standards to measure physical and mechanical properties.

Table 2. Detailed designation and composition of fabricated composites

Composite

Stack sequence

Hemp (wt.%)

Palmyra (wt.%)

Overall (wt.%)

Matrix (wt.% )

C1

HPHPHP

5

5

10

90

C2

HPHPHP

10

10

20

80

C3

HPHPHP

15

15

30

70

C4

HPHPHP

20

20

40

60

C5

HHPPHH

6.7

3.3

10

90

C6

HHPPHH

13.4

6.6

20

80

C7

HHPPHH

20

10

30

70

C8

HHPPHH

26.7

13.3

40

60

C9

PPHHPP

3.3

6.7

10

90

C10

PPHHPP

6.6

13.4

20

80

C11

PPHHPP

10

20

30

70

C12

PPHHPP

13.3

26.7

40

60

2.3 Physical and mechanical testing of hybrid composites

2.3.1 Density and void percentage

The actual density (ρca) of the hybrid composites were found from the Archimedes principle according to ASTM D 792-91 standard. The theoretical density of the hybrid composites is found from the weight fractions and densities of individual constituents by using the following Eq. (1).

$\rho_{\mathrm{ct}}=\frac{1}{\left(\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{fh}} / \rho_{\mathrm{fh}}\right)+\left(\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{fp}} / \rho_{\mathrm{fp}}\right)+\left(\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{m}} / \rho_{\mathrm{m}}\right)}$        (1)

where, ρ and W represent the density and weight fraction, respectively. The suffixes fh, fp, and m stand for the hemp fiber, palmyra fiber, and matrix respectively. The void percentage (Vv) of the hybrid composite is calculated from the actual density and theoretical density according to ASTM D 2734-70 standard using the following Eq. (2).

$V_{v}=\frac{\rho_{c t}-\rho_{c a}}{\rho_{c t}}$       (2)

2.3.2 Water absorption

Water absorption tests are performed according to ASTM D570-98 with the specimen dimension of 60 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm. In order to measure the water absorption percentage, the composite specimens were immersed in distilled water at room temperature. The samples were taken out from the water for every 24 hr and wiped with tissue paper to measure the weight gain. The samples weight gain is noted regularly from 24-288 hrs. The water absorption percentage is measured from the weight difference by using Eq. (3).

$\mathrm{M}_{\mathrm{t}}(\%)=\frac{\left(\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{f}}-\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{i}}\right)}{\mathrm{W}_{\mathrm{i}}} \times 100$      (3)

where, Mt is water absorption, Wf is the final weight of the sample at different time intervals and Wi is the initial weight.

2.3.3 Tensile test

The tensile tests are conducted by applying uniaxial load on both the ends of composite specimens using tensometer. The test is conducted as per ASTM D3039-76 test standards. The test specimen is having dimensions 153 mm × 12.7 mm × 4 mm. The samples were tested at a loading rate of 5 mm/min. The tensile force was noted with respect to the gauge length. For each composite designation, three identical samples were tested and mean value is obtained.

2.3.4 Flexural test

Three point bending test is performed to find the flexural strength of the hybrid composites. The specimens were cut into as per ASTM D790 standard with the dimension of 100 mm ×12.4 mm × 4 mm. The test is performed on the same tensometer at 5 mm/min rate of loading with a gauge length of 40 mm. From the test the breaking load was noted to estimate the flexural strength by using Eq. (4). For each composite designation, three identical samples were tested and mean value is obtained.

$\frac{3 \mathrm{PL}}{2 \mathrm{bt}^{2}}$      (4)

where, P is maximum load (N), L is the gauge length of the sample (mm), b is the width of specimen (mm) and t is the thickness of specimen (mm).

2.3.5 Interlaminar shear strength test

To observe the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the hybrid composite specimens, short beam shear tests were done according to ASTM standard D2344. The test was performed on universal testing machine Instron 1195. The dimension of specimen 45 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm is used with the testing speed of 2 mm/min. In each composite designation, three samples were tested, and the mean value is observed. The ILSS of the hybrid composite samples are calculated using the Eq. (5).

$\frac{3 P}{4 b t}$       (5)

2.3.6 Impact test

The impact energy of the composite specimens were measured by using low velocity Izod impact tester provided by VEEKAY test lab, India. The test was performed as per ASTM standard D 256 with the dimension of the sample is 64 mm × 12.7 mm × 4 mm. The amount of energy required to break the composite specimen can be easily measured by using impact test. For each composite, three identical samples were tested and average value is obtained.

2.3.7 Micro hardness

The Vickers hardness of the composite specimens was measured using a Leitz micro hardness tester according to ASTM D785 test standard. The test was performed by applying load 24.54 N with the diamond indenter into the surface of the specimen to generate an indentation. Vickers hardness number is calculated using the Eq. (6).

$\mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{v}}=0.1889 \frac{\mathrm{F}}{\mathrm{L}^{2}}$      (6)

where, Hv is the Vickers hardness number, F is the applied load in N and L is the diagonal of square impression in mm. For each type of composite, three samples are tested and the average value was recorded.

2.3.8 Interfacial analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope

The micro structure and failure modes of the tensile tested hybrid composites are observed by scanning electron microscope JEOL JSM-6480LV. The broken portions of the specimens were cut and mounted on stubs with silver paste for inspection.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Density and void percentage

Density of the polymer composites is one of the important parameter because of their low densities these materials are replaced by conventional materials. The density values of hemp fiber, palmyra fiber and pure epoxy are found to be 1.47 g/cm3, 1.03 g/cm3, and 1.15 g/cm3 respectively. The effect of fiber percentage and stacking sequence on theoretical and experimental densities along with the void percentage of the hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced composites are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Theoretical, experimental densities and void percentage of the composites

Composite

Theoretical density (g/cm3)

Experimental density (g/cm3)

Void percentage (%)

C1

1.156

1.144

1.039

C2

1.162

1.141

1.808

C3

1.168

1.138

2.569

C4

1.174

1.134

3.407

C5

1.149

1.137

1.044

C6

1.148

1.125

2.003

C7

1.148

1.113

3.049

C8

1.147

1.101

4.011

C9

1.163

1.152

0.945

C10

1.176

1.157

1.615

C11

1.188

1.161

2.272

C12

1.202

1.167

2.912

The void percentage of the hybrid composites increases as the fiber percentage increases due of the hydrophilic nature of the hemp and palmyra fibers. At 40 wt. % of fiber percentage, the void percentage increases to 3.407%, 4.011% and 2.912% for hybrid composites with stacking sequence of hemp and palmyra as HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. It can also be seen from the table that the theoretically calculated density results are higher as compared to the actual density results. The reason behind this is, while evaluating the theoretical density it has been assumed that the composites are free from defects and voids, while in experimental fabrication of composites inescapably gives increase the certain amount of voids within the hybrid composite material. From the results, it is also found that the void percentage is minimum for hybrid composites with stacking sequence of hemp and palmyra fiber as PPHHPP. The reason may be due to the good reinforcement and matrix interfacial bonding, the reduced lumen size of palmyra fiber, and perfect wetting of palmyra fiber by epoxy matrix. Similar type of observations found by previous researchers [19].

3.2 Water absorption

Figure 3 illustrates the effect of stacking sequence and fiber percentage on the water absorption performance of the hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The amount of water absorption percentage increases as the fiber percentage increases and the maximum percentage of water absorption is found at 40 wt.% of fiber percentage. This is due to addition of hemp and palmyra fibers into the matrix leads to increase the polar hydroxide groups, which penetrate the more amount of water through the cellulose structure of the hemp fiber and palmyra fiber. The maximum water absorption percentage of the hybrid composites is observed 12.16%, 12.63%, and 11.55% with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. Further, it is observed that the water absorption percentage is tremendous increases when hemp fiber was positioned as skin layer and palmyra fiber was positioned as core layer. It is also found that the rate of water absorption is linear at the starting with immersion time and stabilize over a certain period of time. Several researchers [20] are investigated that the water absorption percentage increases with increase in fiber content.

Figure 3. Water absorption performance of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

3.3 Tensile strength

The effect of fiber percentage and hybrid ratio on the tensile strength of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites is shown in Figure 4. There is a considerable difference in tensile strength due to change in fiber percentage and layering pattern two fibers. The tensile strength of the pure epoxy is found 32.28 Mpa. The tensile strength of the hybrid composites increases up to 30 wt. % of fiber percentage and then start decreases at 40 wt. % fiber percentage. At 30 wt. % of fiber percentage, the tensile strength increases to 66.82 MPa, 59.32 MPa, and 71.75 MPa with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. When the weight percentage of fiber increases to 30 wt. %, the tensile strength of hybrid composites increases to 107%, 83%, and 122% in the hybrid composites with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. As the fiber weight percentage is increased, the hemp and palmyra fibers makes epoxy matrix ductile and elongation at break is increased. The stress transferred from reinforcement to the matrix can be propagated without failure of the hybrid composite [21]. This increases the tensile strength of the hybrid composite at higher weight percentage of fiber. Table 4 shows the comparison of tensile strength of hybrid composites with individual hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced composites.

Figure 4. Tensile strength of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Table 4. Comparison of tensile strength (MPa) of hybrid, hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced composites

Fiber percentage

Hybrid

Hemp [7]

Palmyra [13]

0

32.28

38.81

33

10

58.37

40.66

26.20

20

64.84

40.83

35.04

30

71.75

50.46

39.83

3.4 Flexural strength

The study of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites subjected to flexural test is very complex. In flexural test, the hybrid composite specimens are subjected to normal stresses and shear stresses. Figure 5 depict the flexural strength of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced hybrid composites as a function of fiber percentage and different stacking sequences. The flexural strength of the pure epoxy is found 32.28 Mpa. By incorporating the hemp and palmyra fiber in to the epoxy the flexural strength of hybrid composites is increases up to 30 wt. % and then decreases with further increase in fiber percentage up to 40 wt.%. The increase in flexural strength while increased fiber percentage due to the good bonding between the reinforcement and matrix and resistance to shearing. At 30 wt. % of fiber percentage, the flexural strength increases to 101.83 MPa, 92.71 MPa, and 110.31 MPa with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. The percentage improvement from neat epoxy to 30 wt. % of fiber percentage in HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP layering hybrid composites are found 215%, 187% and 241%, respectively. From the Figure, flexural strength was found to be maximum when palmyra fiber was used as the skin material and hemp fiber as the core material. The intrinsic properties of palmyra fiber is higher than hemp fiber, which means that the main load bearing capacity is observed by palmyra fiber as the skin material as compared to the hemp fiber as the skin material. Table 5 shows the comparison of flexural strength of hybrid composites with individual hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced composites.

Figure 5. Flexural strength of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Table 5. Comparison of flexural strength (MPa) of hybrid, hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced composites

Fiber percentage

Hybrid

Hemp [7]

Palmyra [13]

0

32.28

38.81

40.60

10

58.37

40.66

44.45

20

64.84

40.83

49.15

30

71.75

50.46

56.25

3.5 ILSS

The effects of fiber percentage and stacking sequence on ILSS values of the hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced hybrid composites are illustrated in Figure 6. The ILSS of the neat matrix is observed to be 6.92 MPa. As can be seen, ILSS values of the hybrid composites are increased considerably when the fiber percentage is increased from 10 wt.% to 30 wt.% and then start decreased at 40 wt.%. The ILSS is mainly depends on fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and matrix properties. The decrease of ILSS at maximum fiber percentage is due to the voids present in the matrix. With addition of 30 wt.% of fiber percentage, the ILSS of neat epoxy show an improvement by 123% 93% and 149% with respect to with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. At 30 wt.% of fiber percentage, the maximum ILSS values were found to be 15.47 MPa, 13.41 MPa, and 17.27 MPa for the hybrid composites with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH, and PPHHPP, respectively. It could be seen that the stacking sequence PPHHPP possessed the maximum shear strength, compared with those of HPHPHP and HHPPHH stacking sequences.

Figure 6. Interlaminar shear strength of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

3.6 Impact energy

The impact energy of composites depended on several factors such as the reinforcement/matrix interface, the nature of the individual constituents, the geometry and construction of the composite, and composite testing conditions. The influences of fiber percentage and hybrid ratio on impact energy of the hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced hybrid composites are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. Impact energy of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The impact resistance is observed to increase linearly with increase in fiber percentage up to 40 wt. %. The impact energy of neat epoxy is only 1.05 J. The impact energy of the hybrid composite with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH and PPHHPP laminate is found 4.84 J, 5.98 J and 4.18 J, respectively. Compare to the pure epoxy, the impact energy performance is improved by 360%, 469% and 298% for the hemp and palmyra composite with stacking sequence of HPHPHP, HHPPHH and PPHHPP, respectively. It is found from the figure that hybrid composites with the stacking sequence of hemp and palmyra fiber as HHPPHH reveals the higher impact energy capacity as compared to other two stacking sequences of HPHPHP and PPHHPP. The high impact energy is found in hemp fiber as a skin layer is due to the high spiral angle and higher lumen size [22].

3.7 Micro hardness

Figure 8 presents the hardness values of the various hybrid composites investigated under this study. It is found from this figure that the hardness of the hemp and palmyra reinforced epoxy composites increase gradually with the fiber percentage increasing from 10 wt. % to 40 wt. % for all the stacking sequences. At 40 wt.% fiber percentage, the hybrid composite with stacking sequence PPHHPP showing the hardness value 44.8 which is more than other stacking sequences HPHPHP and HHPPHH that have hardness values of 42.6 and 39.6 respectively. The reason for increase in hardness due to the better distribution of palmyra fibers into the epoxy with minimum void percentage and good interfacial bonding between the epoxy and reinforcement. Several researchers [23] reported the similar trend of results and indicated that stacking sequence plays an important role in determining the hardness of the composite.

Figure 8. Micro hardness of hemp and palmyra fiber reinforced epoxy composites

3.8 Interfacial analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope

In order to study the interfacial bonding at the interfaces, the scanning electron microscope images are taken for the tensile tested specimen at maximum values. Figure 9 shows the scanning electron microscope image for the neat epoxy and hybrid composites at 30wt. % of fiber percentage which subjected to tensile test. The image illustrates the fiber breakage of the hemp and palmyra fibers, reinforcement–matrix interaction and fiber pullout characteristics reinforcement. Figure 9(b), (c), and (d) illustrated the hybrid composites with stacking sequence of hemp and palmyra fiber as PPHHPP, HPHPHP, and HHPPHH, respectively. From the figure 9(b) it is found that the distributions of hemp and palmyra fibers in the matrix material are more uniform with the stacking sequence PPHHPP as compare to other stacking sequence HPHPHP and HHPPHH. It is observed that the good interfacial bonding between the reinforcement and the matrix at 30 wt. % of fiber percentage that leads to improve the strength properties of hybrid composites.

Figure 9. Scanning Electron Microscope images of tensile tested neat epoxy and hybrid composites with 30 wt. % of fiber percentage

4. Conclusions

The effect of stacking sequence and fiber percentage on physical and mechanical properties hemp and palmyra reinforced hybrid composites was studied. Based on the experimental investigation, the following conclusions are derived:

•By incorporation of hemp and palmyra fibers in to the epoxy matrix, the void percentage and water absorption percentage of hybrid composites increases.

•The results showed that the composites with 30 wt. % of fiber percentage and PPHHPP stacking sequence shows maximum tensile strength and flexural strength of 71.75 MPa and 110.31 MPa respectively.

•The impact energy and hardness of the composites increase with fiber percentage up to 40 wt. %. The ultimate impact energy of 2.98 J is observed for the stacking sequence HHPPHH and the Better hardness of 44.8 is obtained for the stacking sequence PPHHPP.

•The mechanical properties of the hybrid composite specimen with stacking sequence PPHHPP and 30 wt.% of fiber percentage is the optimum combination for better values as compared to HPHPHP and HHPPHH stacking sequences of the composite laminate.

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