Comparison of tensile properties and impact damage tolerance of hemp and glass fiber composites

Tensile properties and impact damage tolerance of hemp fiber and chopped strand mat (CSM) glass fiber composites have been evaluated and compared. The absolute and specific tensile properties of CSM glass fiber composites were found to be much superior to hemp fiber composites. Impact damage tolerance of hemp fiber composites was also quite low compared to CSM glass fiber composites. They lost almost half of their intrinsic strength and stiffness following an impact of 2 J energy. Considerable evidence of matrix fracture, interfacial debonding, and fiber fracture was found in the fracture surface. Following an impact at 4 J energy, hemp fiber composites lost almost 70% of their intrinsic strength and stiffness. In comparison, CSM glass fiber composites were able to endure an impact of 20 J energy for 70% reduction in their intrinsic strength and stiffness.