Effect of jute fibre loading on tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of oil palm epoxy composites

Hybrid composites prepared by hand lay-up technique by reinforcing jute and oil palm fibres with epoxy matrix. The tensile properties of hybrid composites were found to increase substantially with increasing jute fibres loading as compared to oil palm-epoxy composite. The nature of fibre/matrix interface was examined through scanning electron microscopy of tensile fracture samples. Addition of jute fibres to oil palm composite increases the storage modulus while damping factor shifts towards higher temperature region. Cole-Cole analysis was made to understand the phase behaviour of the composite samples. The hybrid composite with oil palm:jute (1:4) showed maximum damping behaviour and highest tensile properties. The overall use of hybrid system was found to be effective in increasing tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the oil palm-epoxy composite probably due to the enhanced fibre/matrix interface bonding. The potential applications of the oil palm based hybrid composites in automobiles and building industry are going to increase in near future. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.