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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue Open Access

Mechanical and Morphological Analysis of Jute/Manila Hemp Hybrid Composites for Enhanced Structural Performance

  1. Mukesh Kumar NAG Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur
  2. Parmanand Kumar Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur

Abstract

Natural fiber composites are renowned for their lightweight, strength, corrosion resistance, and high strength-to-weight ratio, often surpassing traditional metals. Despite challenges such as poor fiber-matrix adhesion and moisture susceptibility, hybridizing composites present a viable solution by enabling tailored properties for optimal performance. This study investigates hand-lay-up processed natural fiber composites, specifically woven jute/epoxy, non-woven manila hemp/epoxy, and their hybrid variants. Extensive testing was conducted on mechanical properties including hardness, flexural strength, impact strength, and tensile strength. The non-woven manila hemp/epoxy composite exhibited superior hardness (99 Shore-D) and tensile strength of 52 MPa. It also demonstrated exceptional flexural strength (95 MPa), although it had a lower impact strength (6 kJ/m²). Hybrid composites showed significant improvements over conventional ones. The woven jute/non-woven manila hemp/epoxy hybrid composite displayed excellent mechanical properties, with a maximum tensile strength of 52 MPa, a tensile modulus of 1.67 GPa, an impact strength of 9.6 kJ/m², and a flexural strength of 90 MPa. These findings highlight the exceptional performance and versatile applications of composite materials, particularly those incorporating woven jute and non-woven manila hemp natural fibers.

Keywords

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