The effect of fabric weave on tensile strength of woven kenaf reinforced unsaturated polyester composite
Natural fibers have gained attention in composite making since it is sustainable, renewable and environmental friendly. However, there are some drawbacks such as low tensile strength, modulus and flexural strength compared to industrial synthetic fibers. Various techniques have been used to increase...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Published: |
2014
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/5431/ http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/5431/1/the_effect_of_fabric_weave_on_tensile.pdf |
| Summary: | Natural fibers have gained attention in composite
making since it is sustainable, renewable and environmental
friendly. However, there are some drawbacks such as low tensile
strength, modulus and flexural strength compared to industrial
synthetic fibers. Various techniques have been used to increase
the mechanical properties of the reinforced material in order to
compete with synthetic fibers. This study is to produce reinforced
fabric made from kenaf fibers woven into four different weave
patterns. The reason for the use of different weave patterns is to
reduce the crimp percentage as it may increase the tensile
strength of the fabric. The weave patterns are Twill 4/4, Satin 8/3
and Basket 4/4, while Plain 1/1 is used as a benchmark for its
tensile strength. The dry fabrics structure with different weave
pattern was optimized using a simulation of WiseTex software.
The dry fabrics were infused with unsaturated polyester to
produce composite panel using vacuum infusion process. The dry
fabric and the composites were tested on tensile strength and
compared with the Plain 1/1 weave pattern. The result shows the
breaking strength of dry fabric increased when different weave
pattern with low crimp percentage were used compared with
Plain 1/1. Yet, in composite form there is reduction in tensile
strength for Basket 4/4 due to changes in the fabric structure
making some parts of the composite became weaker. The other
weave patterns still retain the trend of increment in tensile
strength compared with Plain 1/1 weave. |
|---|