Abstract:

In this paper, tensile, flexural, impact properties and water absorption tests were carried out using sisal/unsaturated polyester composite material. Initially the optimum fibre length and weight percentage are estimated. To improve the tensile, flexural and impact properties, sisal fibre was hybridised with bamboo fibre. This work shows that the addition of bamboo fibre in sisal/ unsaturated polyester composites of up to 50% by weight results in increasing the mechanical properties and decreasing the moisture absorption property. In this research work, the effects of fibre treatment and concentration on the mechanical properties of a short natural fibre reinforced polyester hybrid composite are investigated. The fibres were subjected to 10% sodium hydroxide solution treatment for 24 h. The mechanical properties of composites with treated fibres are compared with untreated fibre composites. The fractured surface of the treated fibre composite specimen was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).The treated hybrid composite was compared with an untreated hybrid composite, with the former showing a 30% increase in tensile strength, 27.4% - in flexural strength, and 36.9% - in impact strength, along with an extreme decrease in moisture absorption behaviour.