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Performance of high strength natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites for structural engineering applications

  • Karthick Rasu

    Karthick Rasu, born in 1990, studied Master of Engineering in Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.

     ORCID logo EMAIL logo     and Anbumalar Veerabathiran

    Anbumalar Veerabathiran, born in 1966, completed Ph.D at Anna University, Chennai. Currently, he is working as Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.
Published/Copyright: February 7, 2025
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Materials Testing
From the journal Materials Testing Volume 67 Issue 3

Abstract

Natural fiber composites are increasingly recognized as a viable alternative to synthetic fiber composites, utilizing materials like flax, hemp, jute, bamboo, and sisal to reinforce polymer matrices. Their eco-friendly nature has garnered attention, presenting a sustainable option in various applications. In structural engineering, these composites find utility in beams, columns, and trusses. This study focuses on investigating the mechanical properties, wear resistance, and water absorption behavior of hybrid composites reinforced with hemp/glass, kenaf/glass, flax/glass, and sisal/glass fibers. The fabrication process involved hand layup techniques to create four distinct composite types using hemp, kenaf, flax, and sisal fibers. To enhance mechanical properties, wear and water resistance, glass fibers were incorporated in the composites. The evaluation of mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, compression strength, wear resistance, and water absorption behavior, was conducted according to ASTM standards. The findings reveal that the kenaf/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composite demonstrates favorable mechanical properties, minimal wear rate, and high water resistance. Given its performance, the kenaf/glass fiber composite emerges as a promising candidate for structural engineering applications.

Keywords: hemp fiber; kenaf fiber; flax fiber; sisal fiber; glass fiber; mechanical properties
Corresponding author: Karthick Rasu, Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, 625009, India, E-mail:

About the authors

Karthick Rasu

Karthick Rasu, born in 1990, studied Master of Engineering in Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.

Anbumalar Veerabathiran

Anbumalar Veerabathiran, born in 1966, completed Ph.D at Anna University, Chennai. Currently, he is working as Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted the responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: All other authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Published Online: 2025-02-07
Published in Print: 2025-03-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Influence of heat input and heat exchange coefficient on temperature and stress field of a X80 steel pipeline repair-weld root pass of a type-B sleeve
  3. Optimization of stress-relief heat treatment for overlay weld repair of severely used rail tracks: effects on residual stress, microstructure and wear resistance
  4. Investigation on the axial distribution of micron inclusions and their influence on mechanical properties in a wind power spindle
  5. Influence of aerogel powder on the mechanical and stability properties of photocurable resin composites produced by stereolithography (SLA)
  6. Effect of sandblasting and aging on structural and mechanical properties of Inconel 625 coated steels for marine applications
  7. Mechanical characterization of sandwich composite structures with Alumix231 foam core between Al2024/B4C composite plates
  8. Optimization of alkali modified breadfruit peel flour-LDPE composite for car mirror casings
  9. Influence of seawater condition on shear strength of CFRP single lap bonded joints with various fiber orientation
  10. Comparative analysis of cutting methods and their impact on fatigue properties of armor steel
  11. Effect of pore structure, mechanical performance, and operational temperature on damping behavior of thermal expandible rubber-based adhesives
  12. Structural and electrical properties of CuO-doped NaNbO3 ceramics
  13. Friction and wear behavior of alkali-treated corn husk fiber reinforced polyester composites
  14. Performance of high strength natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites for structural engineering applications
  15. Fabrication and wear performance of M7C3 carbide reinforced epoxy composites
  16. Mosaic ceramic surface defect detection enhancement algorithm based on guided filter and multi-scale fusion
https://doi.org/10.1515/mt-2024-0381
Keywords for this article
hemp fiber; kenaf fiber; flax fiber; sisal fiber; glass fiber; mechanical properties

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Influence of heat input and heat exchange coefficient on temperature and stress field of a X80 steel pipeline repair-weld root pass of a type-B sleeve
  3. Optimization of stress-relief heat treatment for overlay weld repair of severely used rail tracks: effects on residual stress, microstructure and wear resistance
  4. Investigation on the axial distribution of micron inclusions and their influence on mechanical properties in a wind power spindle
  5. Influence of aerogel powder on the mechanical and stability properties of photocurable resin composites produced by stereolithography (SLA)
  6. Effect of sandblasting and aging on structural and mechanical properties of Inconel 625 coated steels for marine applications
  7. Mechanical characterization of sandwich composite structures with Alumix231 foam core between Al2024/B4C composite plates
  8. Optimization of alkali modified breadfruit peel flour-LDPE composite for car mirror casings
  9. Influence of seawater condition on shear strength of CFRP single lap bonded joints with various fiber orientation
  10. Comparative analysis of cutting methods and their impact on fatigue properties of armor steel
  11. Effect of pore structure, mechanical performance, and operational temperature on damping behavior of thermal expandible rubber-based adhesives
  12. Structural and electrical properties of CuO-doped NaNbO3 ceramics
  13. Friction and wear behavior of alkali-treated corn husk fiber reinforced polyester composites
  14. Performance of high strength natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites for structural engineering applications
  15. Fabrication and wear performance of M7C3 carbide reinforced epoxy composites
  16. Mosaic ceramic surface defect detection enhancement algorithm based on guided filter and multi-scale fusion
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