Deepak Verma, Ahmad Safwan Ismail, Mohammad Jawaid, Ramzi Khiari, Hassan Fouad
The current study reports the development of sustainable natural fiber-based bio epoxy composites using bamboo (B), kenaf (K), and oil palm (O) fibers at fixed 50 wt% of the total loading. The composites are classified as individual fiber-based composites (B, K, O) and hybrid fiber-based bio epoxy composites (2BKO, B2KO, BK2O). Different mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact properties), thermal, and hygro-dimensional properties (water absorption and thickness swelling) of the developed composites were evaluated. Kenaf and bamboo fiber-based composites reported higher quasi static performance exhibiting tensile and flexural strengths as 37.34 MPa and 82 MPa, respectively. Oil palm and oil palm fiber-based hybrid composites exhibited reduced stiffness and strength; however, shown enhanced impact energy absorption. TGA analysis confirmed that all the developed composites exhibited stable thermal properties, confirming hybridization of fiber doesn't affect the thermal operating parameters of bio epoxy. Water absorption and thickness swelling of the composites exhibited around 12-17% and 14-23%, respectively. Higher water absorption and thickness swelling were observed in case of bamboo, kenaf based composites, while oil palm based composite classes exhibited the moderate values. Overall, BKO fiber-based hybrid composites exhibiting a balanced performance relative to the individual fiber-based composites in respect of mechanical properties, steady thermal properties and controlled moisture triggered swelling. We concluded that developed hybrid composites are a promising sustainable material for light and semi-structural applications.