Mechanical properties of kenaf bast fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite panels

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), a stalk-like plant, provides a bast fiber that was utilized in a nonwoven mat form and embedded into an epoxy resin matrix. Plaques with three different fiber volume fractions were made by hand lay-up using 3, 4 and 10 layers of nonwoven mat. Coupons were cut from these plaques and tested for impact and tensile strength. The random kenaf fiber mat did not reinforce the tensile strength characteristics 40MPa (5.8 ksi) or the impact strength 0.50 J/cm (0.937 lbs/in) of the epoxy matrix. Percent elongation and the Young's Modulus were calculated from the data. The strength and elongation values were compared to the fiber volume fraction of the respective test plaques. Results showed that kenaf bast fibers serve as a good filler for thermoset composites due to the fiber's high yield strengths. Kenaf fibers possess such advantages as being inexpensive, biodegradable, and environmentally safe while serving as a renewable resource.