Effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of intra-layer hybrid Alfa/Jute fabric composites

Abstract

Bidirectional hybrid polymer-based composites are being introduced in many industrial applications. This is because the weaving patterns of woven composites have significant contributions to resulting composite performances. The main goal of this work was to study the effect of chemical treatments and the effect of hybridization on the mechanical properties of intra-layer hybrid Alfa/Jute fabric composites. Jute and Alfa fibers were used as natural fibers reinforcing the polyester matrix-based composites. First of all, the untreated, alkali and permanganate treated Alfa fibers were analyzed by using physical and mechanical tests (ATR-FTIR, XRD, and MEB). Weibull statistical analysis was employed to estimate the variability of untreated and treated Alfa fiber-resin interfacial shear strength. On the other hand, three plain-woven intra-ply hybrid fabrics were used as reinforcements for the polyester matrix. These three produced composite samples were subjected to mechanical, and physical tests such as three-point flexural strength, compressive strength, water absorption, and optical observation. The results were examined, analyzed, and compared to a jute-woven composite reinforced with the same resin. The results show that the chemical treatment can affect positively the fibers’ properties. In others hand, among the studied composites, the developed treated intra-ply woven fabric reinforced polyester resin have good mechanical properties in term of flexural and compression resistance. Weibull statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate and quantify the variability in the tensile strength of various intra-layer hybrid Alfa/Jute fabric composites.