Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption of Coir and Angustifolia Haw Agave Fibers Reinforced Hybrid Polyester Composite

Abstract

This article presents the mechanical properties (including tensile and flexural stength) and water absorption of coir/ angustifolia Haw Agave fibers hybrid composite. Prior to fabrication of composite, these fibers were soaked in 5%w/v NaOH solution during 24 hours. Coir fibers were manually twisted and formed like mat and agave fibers were composed with one direction and then also formed mat. Unsaturated polyester was used as matrix in hybrid composite.  Fabrication of hybrid composites used hand lay-up technique with compression molding. The variation of volume fraction of coir and agave fibers in hybrid composite are 5:25, 10:20 and 15:15 respectively. Tensile and flexural strength as well as water absorption of hybrid composite were investigated in this paper.  Fracture tensile was examined by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) to determine fracture mode. Results showed that by combination of coir and agave fibers as reinforcement of hybrid composite, higher content of agave fiber in the hybrid composite is higher tensile and flexural strength. Meanwhile, the higher content of agave in hybrid composite, the water absorption also increased. SEM examination shows that the hybrid composite tend to undergo fiber pull out and matrix defect.