Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials
Keywords:
Natural fiber, polymer, composite matrix, mechanical property,, Tribology properties.Abstract
The growing emphasis on sustainable materials has led to increased research on natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs). This study investigates the mechanical properties of NFRPCs fabricated using various natural fibers, including jute, hemp, and sisal, as reinforcements in polymer matrices such as epoxy and polyester. By varying fiber types, orientations, and fiber-to-matrix ratios, the experimental results reveal significant trends in tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance. Moderate Impact Strength: Sample-1 has impact strength of 22.2 J/m, which is nearly 57% lower than Sample-2. The absence of Coir and Flax reduces impact absorption compared to Sample-2. Lowest Impact Strength: Sample-3 has the lowest impact strength (20.4 J/m). Sample-2 has the highest tensile strength (56 MPa), meaning it can withstand the most stress before breaking compare to remaining compositions its 34% more tensile strength. Sample-2 has the highest flexural strength, indicating it is the most resistant to bending forces its value of flexural strength almost 30% more than the remaining samples. To conclude, biopolymers have been found to have the tendency to absorb more moisture than their synthetic counterparts. Moreover, natural composites have proved to perform particularly poorly when immersed in water. The findings demonstrate that natural fiber composites provide a sustainable alternative to synthetic composites, with competitive mechanical performance suitable for lightweight and eco-friendly applications.
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