Mechanical and tribological behavior of pineapple leaf and kenaf fiber reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites

Abstract

The modern world demands the implementation of natural fiber-based polymer composites over synthetic fiber composites due to their eco-friendly nature, abundant availability, competing strength, economical favorability, and lightweight quality. In this present investigation, varied combinations of hybrid pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and kenaf fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites were fabricated by compression molding technique. The physical properties, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior were experimentally analyzed and reported. The physical properties, such as theoretical density, experimental density, and porosity percentage are evaluated and studied. Statistical mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, compression, microhardness, and impact study are also evaluated possibly. Tribological behavior was simply studied by pin-on-disc tribometer apparatus under dry sliding conditions, and its specific wear rate and coefficient of friction were determined and analyzed. The morphological features of the tensile fractured samples and worn surfaces of the wear-tested specimen were analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope and its effects were investigated. From the results reported, it was claimed that the 20PALF/20KF/60VE sample was getting higher mechanical properties of 51% increased tensile strength, 55% flexural strength, 41.5% compression strength, 52% impact results, and 52% increased harness value compared to the neat resin sample. Overall results state that the hybridized combinations of PALF and kenaf fibers reinforced composites attained good mechanical and tribological properties and appear promising for printed circuit board and electrical switchboard applications.