Mechanical properties of palmyra/glass fiber hybrid composites

Use of eco friendly composites gains attraction due to its lightweight and moderate strength in the recent years. Palmyra fiber is a natural fiber obtained from Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) tree. Mechanical properties of randomly mixed short fiber composites are studied and optimum fiber length and wt% are estimated. This paper deals with the properties of (randomly mixed) palmyra fiber, glass fiber hybrid composites. Two types of specimens are prepared, one by mixing the palmyra and glass fiber and the other by sandwiching palmyra fiber between the glass fiber mats. Composite plates are prepared for different palmyra/glass fiber weight ratio. Rooflite resin is used as matrix. Tensile, impact, shear and bending properties are studied. The mechanical properties of the composites are improved due to the addition of glass fiber along with palmyra fiber in the matrix. The glass fiber skin-palmyra fiber core construction exhibits better mechanical properties than dispersed construction. Moisture absorption studies are conducted and the results are presented as a function of square root of time. Addition of glass fiber with palmyra fiber in the matrix decreases the moisture absorption of the composites. � 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.