Page 9 - Template Tesis UTM v2.0

ABSTRACT

In the era of globalisation and industrialisation, the major concern is not only
limited to the advanced material development, but also on the disposable and

recyclable methods. The use of natural fibres hybrid composites of basalt, jute and flax
with E-glass fibre is to reduce the non-degradable materials on the planet. Generally,

almost all the cellulosic materials are eco-friendly, biodegradable, lower density, lower
cost and easy to find abundantly. Consequently, the natural fibres hybrid composites

have been introduced to remedy the drawbacks of natural fibres. This research aims to

investigate the static and dynamic behaviours of natural fibres hybrid composites of
E-glass/basalt, E-glass/jute and E-glass/flax. The hybrid samples were constructed

based on two types of stacking sequences, namely as sandwich-like (SL) and
intercalation (IC) sequences. The SL and IC samples were labelled as G2/B3/G2,

G2/J3/G2, G2/F3/G2 and [G/B]3G, [G/J]3G, [G/F]3G for hybrid composites of E-
glass/basalt, E-glass/jute and E-glass/flax, respectively. Pure and hybrid composites

were tested experimentally for static and dynamic properties characterization. Static

tests were conducted by tensile, flexural and quasi-static indentation, while dynamic
behaviours were investigated via low velocity impact and split Hopkinson pressure bar

-1
-1
(SHPB) apparatus at high strain rates between 700 s to 2350 s . From the
experimental results, it shows that the hybrid composites with SL sequence in general
has better static and dynamic mechanical behaviours compared to their IC sequences

and pure laminates composites. This behaviour can be seen evidently on tensile
strength increased more than 50% compared to non-hybrid composites. In addition,

most of the hybrid composites absorb higher energy when tested under quasi-static
indentation as well as under low velocity impact up to 73.4%. Meanwhile, the effects

of hybridization under high strain rates have revealed that the maximum stress

increases as the strain rate increases especially for the hybrid composites with SL
sequences which increased more than 20% as the applied strain rate increases from

-1
-1
700 s to 2214 s . In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that the hybrid
composites are able to compensate the weakness characteristics of natural resources
especially with SL sequence.

v