Synthesis of developed rice straw sheets and glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

In this study, a sheet of random rice straw fiber was developed. These rice straw sheets were used to reinforce polyester matrix. Synthesis of rice straw sheets and glass fibers as synthetic fibers-reinforced polyester composites were investigated. Several new stacking sequences were fabricated with random glass fiber mats with different areal densities (225 g/m², 300 g/m², and 450 g/m²) and rice straw sheets. The specific mechanical properties of these natural/synthetic fiber composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the fracture surfaces of the fabricated hybrid composites. Experimental results showed that specific tensile and flexural stiffness of rice straw fiber composite is better those obtained with glass fiber composites. The hybrid natural/synthesis composites with alternating glass fiber mat with areal densities 300 g/m², and rice straw shows higher specific tensile strength than rice straw and other hybrid composites. Hybrid composites with high areal density on the outer surfaces yield a significant increase in flexural-specific strength and hardness as compared to other fabricated composites.