Mechanical Characteristics of Naturally Woven Coconut Sheath/Short Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Composites

This study presents the outcomes of an experimental investigation focusing on the tensile, flexural, impact and water absorption properties of unsaturated polyester resin reinforced with naturally woven coconut sheath and short sisal fibers. Sisal fiber, characterized by its abundance, affordability, degradability, and robust strength, serves as a compelling reinforcement. The naturally woven coconut sheath fibers, discreetly found in the hidden sections of coconut branches, offer an inexpensive, biodegradable option with a high specific strength. Hybrid composites are meticulously crafted through the compression molding method. The study delves into the mechanical properties of coconut sheath and various fiber loadings (ranging from 10% to 50%) of short sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites. The experimental results illuminate a dependency of the composite's mechanical properties on the weight percentage of short sisal fiber reinforcement. Notably, the hybrid specimen containing 40% short sisal fiber and coconut sheath exhibits remarkable tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of 68.5 MPa, 128.8 MPa, and 18.95 kJ/m(2), respectively. This hybrid reinforcement substantially elevates the mechanical properties of the composites. The interaction between the fiber and matrix in the fractured mechanical testing specimen was examined using a scanning electron microscope. These findings underscore the potential of naturally woven coconut sheath and short sisal fibers as effective polyester reinforcements. The study suggests that these bio-based materials could be employed to fabricate cost-effective, high-strength goods applicable in diverse sectors such as automotive components, consumer products, building constructions, and industrial applications.