Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

This work presents a systematic approach to evaluate and study the effect of process parameters on tensile flexural and impact strength of coir and bagasse fiber reinforced polyester-based hybrid composites and also predicts the properties of random oriented hybrid composites. The composite panel was fabricated using hand lay-up method to the size of 300mmx200mmx3mm with various weight percentage of natural fibers namely coir (10, 20 and 30 wt %) and bagasse (10, 20 and 30 wt %) combined with polyester resin. The mechanical properties testing such as tensile, flexural and impact strength were carried out for the samples cut from the fabricated composite panel to the dimensions as per ASTM standard. The significant contribution of mixing of fiber was determined by analysis of variance. The second-order polynomial curve fitting equations are modelled to predict the mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength. Also scanning electron microscopy testing was conducted on tensile test specimen to find the fiber matrix interfacial adhesion.