An Experimental Studies on the Polymer Hybrid Composites—Effect of Fibers on Characterization

The present research focused on the polymer hybrid composite fabrication and its characterization. Kevlar fibers (also called Aramid fibers, KF) are mixed with Sansevieria trifasciata fiber (snake plant leaf fibers, STF) to improve the performance of the epoxy matrix. Former fiber is synthetic fiber and the later is natural fibers are combined proportionately by the rule of mixtures KF and STF treated fiber systems. Wet-hand layup was used to organize systems with weight ratios of KF/STF for treated, viz. 1:0; 0.5:0.5; 0.75:0.25; 0.25:0.75; 0:1 (typically named as A, B, C, D, and E systems from the left). It was found that tensile strength for system-D (treated) was found improvement due to the fact that dust-free, rough, and improved surface area. Impact strength was found significant for the system-D when compared with others. The interface and voids at the fracture surface were improved for the systems C and D which were observed from the SEM images. Chemical resistance found good all the samples except carbon tetrachloride due to the hit of carbon atoms which consequently imparted erosion of the fiber out of the matrix.