Effect of Water Absorption on Flexural Properties of Kenaf/Glass Fibres Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Hybrid Composites Rod

This study investigates the effect of water absorption on flexural strength kenaf/ glass/unsaturated polyester (UPE) hybrid composite solid round rods used for insulating material applications. Three volume fractions kenaf/glass fibre 20:80 (KGPE20), 30:70 (KGPE30), and 40:60 (KGPE40) with three different arrangement profiles kenaf fibres were fabricated by using pultrusion technique aimed at studying profile its content in composites. The fibre/ resin fraction was maintained constant 60:40. dispersion morphologies tested specimens observed scanning electron microscope (SEM). findings compared pure glass fibre-reinforced UPE (control) composite. results showed a clear indication how it influenced non-hybrid least affected sample 30KGPE type, wherein concentrated centre cross-section rod. reduced 7%, 40%, 24%, 38% glass/UPE (control), 20KGPE, 30KGPE, 40KGPE composites, respectively. In randomly distributed types, is directly proportional to fibre. At same time, properties inversely fibres. Although influence low, pultruded composites more each type than loading.