Mechanical Characteristics of Green Composites of Short Kenaf Bast Fiber Reinforced in Cardanol

Abstract EN

In this experiment, thermoset cardanol resin was reinforced with short kenaf bast fibers to produce 100% green composites.

Different fiber loadings based on weight ratios (0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%) were fabricated by the hand layup method followed by compression molding.

The results indicated that 50UTK (untreated kenaf fibers) displays the highest mechanical properties (91.9% and 43.4% increment for tensile strength and impact strength, respectively) compared with the brittle cardanol polymer and other combinations of composite.

This indicates a great load transfer mechanism by kenaf fiber reinforcement due to good fiber/matrix interface shown in scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses.

On the contrary, short kenaf fiber insertion creates a stress concentration spot at the fiber’s end causing slightly lower flexural properties.

Besides, high processing temperature has caused damage to the fibers and made further reduction of flexural strength.

Therefore, a better load transfer mechanism has been compensated by negative influences of kenaf fiber insertion.

In conclusion, 50 wt% of kenaf fiber insertion is found to be the optimum loading for cardanol matrix.