DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i3.400

Keywords: Bamboo; hybrid composites; graphite; mechanical properties; natural fiber; thermal stability; sisal

Abstract

The research utilized hybridized composites that were hand-laid with a combination of natural reinforcing materials, an epoxy polymer matrix, and fillers made of cellulose and graphite. The reinforcing materials utilized were bamboo and sisal. Investigations on mechanical properties, thermal stability, and reinforcing effects of hybrid composites were conducted by thermogravimetric and mechanical means. Mechanical testing showed that increasing the amount of bidirectionally woven bamboo fiber improved the hybrid composites' tensile and flexural strengths, whereas increasing the quantity of chopped sisal fiber reduced it. The findings of the Izod impact tests showed that chopped sisal fibers were more resistant to impact loads than braided bamboo mat fibers. Consequently, the hybrid composites' impact energy increased in direct proportion to the amount of chopped sisal fiber used. Researchers looked at the surface appearance of hybrid composites with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and discovered multiple failure routes, such as fiber pullout and cracks.