Abstract
This paper reports the development of unidirectional natural fiber-reinforced thermoset composites and their mechanical properties. A thermoset epoxy resin was used as the matrix polymer, with abaca fiber as the reinforcing phase. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the proposed thermoset composites respectively reached maxima of 520 MPa and 17 GPa at the fiber volume fraction of 79%. Such high strength and high modulus apparently derived from good permeability of resin into abaca fiber stocks and also from the acceptable stress transfer between the fiber and matrix. The experimental tensile strength was compared with the theoretical prediction derived from the Curtin model in which the stochastic fiber fracture is considered. It is apparent that the tensile strength of the abaca fiber-reinforced thermoset composites was slightly lower than that estimated using the Curtin model, and that this deviation derives partially from insufficient stress transfer between the fiber and matrix.
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