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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research Special issue

Mechanical and Functional Performance of PET–Kenaf Fiber Hybrid Composites for Domestic Household Applications

  1. Prashant Vijay Thokal Department of Electrical Engineering, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
  2. Pravin B. Khatkale Sanjivani University, Kopargaon
  3. Raje Gowda Department of Civil Engineering, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
  4. Deepak G.B Department of Civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management, Bengaluru
  5. Sachin W. Manjarawal Department of Civil Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research, Nashik
  6. Prashant Sunagar Department of Civil Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research, Nashik
  7. Yogesh Agrawal Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research, Nashik
  8. Nandkishor Sawai Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research, Nashik
  9. Anil Singh Yadav Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bakhtiyarpur College of Engineering, Bakhtiyarpur, Patna

Abstract

This research presents a hybrid composite of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Kenaf fibers for sustainable household applications. Polyethylene terephthalate from consumer bottles was reinforced with Kenaf fibers at volume fractions of 10–30% and composites were created through compression molding. Mechanical characterization involved tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness testing where appropriate and was standardized according to ASTM standards, while their interfacial interactions were characterized by imaging through SEM. Linear and shear-lag theoretical prediction models were derived and compared to experimental trends. Results determined an optimum fiber content of 20% increases tensile strength 52% and flexural modulus 47% and impact toughness 35% with respect to neat PET at similar dimensions. Composites showed an increase in hardness across the board. An optimum 20% fiber composite was also characterized by SEM imaging due to lower void content and superior interfacial bonding with fiber pull-out determined to be the highest mode of energy absorption. Higher fiber contents (>30%) performed worse in most mechanical properties due to inferior stress transfer efficiency and compaction.

Keywords

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