Water Absorption Behaviour and Impact Strength of Kenaf-Kevlar Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites
Fibre reinforced polymer composites has been used in a variety of applications. Recently, there is increasing interest in the research on natural-synthetic fibre hybrid composite. In this study, water absorption behaviours and impact properties of woven kenaf-Kevlar hybrid composite were evaluated. In all samples, Kevlar (aramid fibres) was kept as the skin layers and kenaf as the core material. The experimental results revealed that the hybrid composites with high kenaf content shows low density (0.88g/m3) and contains a high content of the voids (25.67%). Similar finding observed in water absorption and thickness swelling test as the hybrid composite with higher kenaf content absorb more water absorption and low dimensional stability. Water absorption affects the impact strength of the composites. The impact strength decreased about 45.38 % (from 228.24 to 124.66kJ/m2) in sample H1), whereas, the highest impact strength decreased of about 78.52% (from 179.71 to 38.60 kJ/m2) was observed in sample H5). The result of this study is important for the further utilisation of woven kenaf in hybrid laminate composites.