Mechanical Properties of Flax/Kenaf Hybrid Composites

The aim of this work is to fabricate flax/kenaf hybrid composites and analyse their mechanical (tensile, flexural and compression), and scanning electron microscopy properties. Hybrid composites fabricated by using flax BL150, flax BL200 and kenaf, where the ratio of hybridisation of flax to kenaf is 30:70 by using hand lay-up techniques. The tensile tests, flexural test and compression test were performed using the test machine Instron. The morphological observation of tensile damaged sample of the composites was evaluated by Scanning Electron microscopy to ascertain the extent of the failure of composites. The results showed that the tensile, flexural compression properties of kenaf composites were improved by hybridization with flax fabrics. It is observed that Kenaf/Flax BL150/Kenaf display highest tensile strength whereas Flax BL150/Kenaf/Flax BL150 hybrid composites showed the highest tensile modulus as compared to kenaf composites. Flax BL200/Kenaf/Flax BL200 display highest flexural strength while Kenaf/flax BL 150/kenaf show highest flexural modulus due to better flexural properties of Flax. Flax BL200/Kenaf/Flax BL200 displayed highest compressive modulus while Flax BL150/Kenaf/Flax BL150 shows highest compressive stress than kenaf composite itself. The hybrid composites undergoes matrix cracking, fibre pull out and fibre breaking after the testing and being observed by using scanning electron microscope.