Impact Properties of Kapok Based Unsaturated Polyester Hybrid Composites

Natural fabric-based thermoset composites are generally lower in strength performance compared to hybrid composites. However, they have the advantages of design flexibility, cost effectiveness, lack of health-hazard problems and recycling possibilities. Hybridization with some amounts of synthetic fibers makes these natural fabric composites more suitable for technical applications such as automotive interior parts. Kapok fabric is one of the important lignocellulosic plant fabrics and has been used as a reinforcement for hybridizing with glass and sisal fabrics in polyester matrix. This study focused on the performance of impact properties of kapok/glass and kapok/sisal fabrics reinforced polyester hybrid composites. Results show that hybridization with glass fabric enhanced the performance properties. Similarly, addition of kapok fabric to sisal/polyester composites enhanced the properties. The effect of alkali treatment of fabrics on impact strength of these composites was studied. Notched Izod impact strength of the hybrid composites exhibited great enhancement (34%). Analysis of fabric distribution in the composite and fracture surface was performed to study the breakage and fracture mechanism of the fabric. Also, we studied the thermal properties of kapok/glass and kapok/sisal fabric reinforced polyester composites.