Development and Characterization of Properties of Hybrid Enset-Sisal Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite: Experimental & FEM approach

Abstract

Because natural fiber has benefit over synthetic fiber, such as low density, low price, environmental friendliness, and widespread availability, industries are shifting away from synthetic fiber. Natural fiber composites provide a number of important advantages, including high mechanical performance of raw materials. Common natural fibers like sisal and enset are widely accessible in Ethiopia. This study aims to fabricate and characterize a composite hybrid of Enset and Sisal fibers with an epoxy binder. Both mechanical and physical properties of hybrid Enset Sisal fiber reinforced composite such as Flexural strength, Tensile strength, Impact strength, and physical properties of moisture absorption capacity and density investigated. The Sample fabrication process begins with fiber extraction from both Sisal and Enset plants and then treated with an optimum composition of 5wt. % NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and finally the test sample had manufactured. Hand Lay-up with loading method was used to fabricate the sample by varying volume fraction of Enset/sisal 0/40, 10/30, 20/20, 30/10, 40/0 with 60 volume % of epoxy resin in random fiber orientation. A Hybrid of 30S/10E with 60% epoxy matrix shows the highest mechanical properties like Tensile, Flexural, and Impact strength which are 41.87 MPa, 409.6 MPa, and good energy absorption capacity of 38 Joule respectively. The 30S/10E has the least water absorption capacity compared with other composite. Generally the hybridization shows an improvement in the mechanical properties. Finally, the mechanical properties of natural fiber composite were analyzed using Finite element method simulation software (ANSYS) and its suitability for automobile body panel application is proved.