Evaluation of Flexural and Tensile Properties of Short Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Green Composites

The present work study flexural and tensile behavior of short Kenaf fiber reinforced composites. The fibers are chemically treated in 2% NaOH solution at room temperature. Short fibers of 4mm and 8 mm are used in the present work. The composite lamina is prepared by hand molding using isopthalic polyester resin. Flexural test and tension tests are carried out as per ASTM standards. The flexural strength and flexural modulus and tensile strength and tensile modulus of composite lamina are evaluated. The Effect of Fiber surface Treatment on flexural and tensile properties are observed. . The Flexural Strength is increased by 13.8%, 12.8%, and 1.6% for Kenaf T-4 mm laminate, Kenaf T-8 mm laminate, Kenaf UT-4 mm laminate respectively when compared to resin lamina. . But it is observed that the Flexural Strength is decreased by 4.4% for Kenaf UT-8mm laminate when compared to resin lamina. Surface treatment of fiber had a significant effect on fiber/matrix adhesion due to this there is an increase in Flexural strength. The tensile strength is good for 8mm Treated lamina when compared to 4mm lamina.