Manufacturing and Characterisation and Application of Jute and Coir and Flax and Sisal Natural Fiber Hybrid Composite

Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on sustainability, particularly in industries like automotive newlineand aerospace, has created a demand for lightweight, environmentally friendly materials. This newlineresearch addresses this critical need by focusing on the manufacturing, characterization, and newlineapplication of Natural Fiber Hybrid Composites (NFHCs) using jute, coir, flax, sisal, and newlinesynthetic E-glass fibers. The goal is to develop eco-friendly composite materials that not only newlinereduce environmental impact but also maintain or exceed the mechanical performance of newlinetraditional synthetic composites, providing sustainable alternatives for various highperformance newlineapplications. newlineThe NFHCs were fabricated using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) newlinetechnique, chosen for its ability to produce high-strength composites with uniform fiber newlinedistribution and minimal defects. The composites underwent comprehensive mechanical newlinetesting in accordance with ASTM standards, including tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness newlinetests, along with water absorption analysis. The jute/glass fiber hybrid composite showed the newlinehighest tensile strength of 126.32 MPa, whereas the flax-based composite exhibited superior newlineflexural strength at 96.96 MPa. Impact tests demonstrated that glass/flax and glass/jute newlinehybrids had the best impact resistance, attributed to strong fiber-matrix bonding. Water newlineabsorption testing revealed that the GJGJG laminate had the lowest moisture uptake at just newline0.1159%, highlighting its suitability for applications in moisture-rich environments. newlineMorphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) further validated the newlinestructural integrity and interfacial adhesion within the composites, revealing key insights into newlinefiber-matrix interactions and the presence of minimal voids. newline