Fiber orientation effecting the mechanical properties at coconut fiber reinforce epoxy resin composite

Abstract

This paper presents with the effect orientation on the mechanical properties of coconut fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite. The composite materials were prepared by using the hand lay-up technique with three totally different oriented patterns as follows: random, continuous unidirectional and weaving patterns. Evaluate and compare the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and impact strength. Fracture surface and the adhesion between fiber and matrix were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results from the study showed that the mechanical properties of weaving patterns are significantly higher than in continuous unidirectional and randomly oriented fiber composite. The best mechanical properties of the composite were succeed by fiber orientation that is weaving patterns, which showed increase in tensile strength by 123.75 %, elasticity of modulus by 501.11 % and Impact strength by 10.46 % compared to the pure epoxy resin. Surface morphology observation using SEM showed fiber pull out and matrix-fiber adhesion.