Investigating the Mechanical, Physical, Machining and Tribological Behaviors of Enset and Sisal Fiber Hybrid Reinforced Polyester Composite

Abstract

In the manufacturing process of innovative fiber-based composite materials, natural fibers are among the most commonly employed reinforcements. The properties of composites depend on type and properties of the fiber, fiber structure and treatment. In this study, enset and sisal fibers were used to develop the composite, and the properties of both the fibers and the composite are investigated. Furthermore, the effects of NaOH treatment on the fibers and the composite were explored. Understanding that mechanical properties of composites are affected by several parameters, the effects of volume ratio and fiber orientation on mechanical, physical, machinability and tribological properties of the developed hybrid composites, which were fabricated by hand lay-up, were investigated. Both unidirectional and woven orientations with 5% and 10% NaOH treatment, as well as 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 fiber volume ratios with a constant polyester resin were considered. To conduct the experimental studies, diverse tools such as optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Universal Test Machine (UTM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), 3D optical surface profiles as well as Taguchi design and ANOVA tools were used. The results indicated that the 5% and 10% NaOH treatment significantly improved the moisture absorption and diameters of the fibers. In particular, both treatments improved the moisture absorption of enset fibers by approx. 33%, while the same treatments on sisal fibers improved the moisture absorption by 30% and 40% respectively. The 5% NaOH treated enset and sisal fibers showed better tenacity, which is an indication of the tensile strength of single fiber, than the untreated and the 10% NaOH treated fibers. As expected, treated and woven fiber orientation hybrid composites exhibited better mechanical properties than untreated and unidirectional hybrid composites. The tests on tensile, flexural and impact strengths indicated that the 5% NaOH-treated composites improved by 5.21%, 9.25%, and 5.98%, respectively, over untreated enset/sisal hybrid composites. The enhanced mechanical properties of the composites can be attributed to the improved moisture content, diameter, as well as the lignin and hemicellulose contents of the fibers. From studies on drilled hole surface, it has been observed that the feed rate parameter had the highest percentage contribution, while the tribological properties of woven type of composite had a lower weight loss than unidirectional composites. In general, the results of the study showed that 5% NaOH treated, woven and 50/50 enset/sisal hybrid composites have optimum mechanical properties and water absorption properties.In The Manufacturing Process Of Innovative Fiber-Based Composite Materials, Natural Fibers Are Among The Most Commonly Employed Reinforcements. The Properties Of Composites Depend On Type And Properties Of The Fiber, Fiber Structure And Treatment. In This Study, Enset And Sisal Fibers Were Used To Develop The Composite, And The Properties Of Both The Fibers And The Composite Are Investigated. Furthermore, The Effects Of Naoh Treatment On The Fibers And The Composite Were Explored. Understanding That Mechanical Properties Of Composites Are Affected By Several Parameters, The Effects Of Volume Ratio And Fiber Orientation On Mechanical, Physical, Machinability And Tribological Properties Of The Developed Hybrid Composites, Which Were Fabricated By Hand Lay-Up, Were Investigated. Both Unidirectional And Woven Orientations With 5% And 10% Naoh Treatment, As Well As 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, And 0/100 Fiber Volume Ratios With A Constant Polyester ResinWere Considered. To Conduct The Experimental Studies, Diverse Tools Such As Optical Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Ftir), Universal Test Machine (Utm), Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem), 3d Optical Surface Profiles As Well As Taguchi Design And Anova Tools Were Used. The Results Indicated That The 5% And 10% Naoh Treatment Significantly Improved The Moisture Absorption And Diameters Of The Fibers. In Particular, Both Treatments Improved The Moisture Absorption Of Enset Fibers By Approx. 33%, While The Same Treatments On Sisal Fibers Improved The Moisture Absorption By 30% And 40% Respectively. The 5% Naoh Treated Enset And Sisal Fibers Showed Better Tenacity, Which Is An Indication Of The Tensile Strength Of Single Fiber, Than The Untreated And The 10% Naoh Treated Fibers. As Expected, Treated And Woven Fiber Orientation Hybrid Composites Exhibited Better Mechanical Properties Than Untreated And Unidirectional Hybrid Composites. The Tests On Tensile, Flexural And Impact Strengths Indicated That The 5% Naoh-Treated Composites Improved By 5.21%, 9.25%, And 5.98%, Respectively, Over Untreated Enset/Sisal Hybrid Composites. The Enhanced Mechanical Properties Of The Composites Can Be Attributed To The Improved Moisture Content, Diameter, As Well As TheL gnin And Hemicellulose Contents Of The Fibers. From Studies On Drilled Hole Surface, It Has Been Observed That The Feed Rate Parameter Had The Highest Percentage Contribution, While The Tribological Properties Of Woven Type Of Composite Had A Lower Weight Loss Than Unidirectional Composites. In General, The Results Of The Study Showed That 5% Naoh Treated, Woven And 50/50 Enset/Sisal Hybrid Composites Have Optimum Mechanical Properties And Water Absorption Properties.