Influence of Woven and Cross-Ply Laminates on Mechanical Properties of Coir Epoxy Composite

This research work was concerned with the evaluation of mechanical properties; flexural strength and impact strength of coconut coir textile composites. The coir fabric reinforcement was in a form of woven and cross ply structure. The two types of laminates orientations for cross-ply structures were 0/90 degrees and 45/-45 degrees. Composites with fibre weight fraction of 30% were prepared by hand lay-up and vacuum bagging technique. Mechanisms of composites failure were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results have shown that the woven coir reinforced composites exhibited higher impact resistance and flexural strength (warp woven) compare to cross-ply composites. Moreover, 0/90 degrees orientations demonstrated better strength performance compare to 45/-45 degrees. However, damage propagation on woven composites was found to be larger than cross-ply composites. Normality test of data distribution were evaluated using Minitab software and it was proven that all samples were in a very stable behaviour (p > 0.05). Experimental results were also validated using one way analysis of variance technique (one way-ANOVA) and it revealed there was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between all different fabric structures of coir fabric as reinforcement in composite.

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