TENSILE/COMPRESSIVE AND FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL/SYNTHETIC HYBRID FIBRE METAL LAMINATE COMPOSITES

The mechanical properties of any material are the most important factor considered in producing components in the structure; therefore, the reinforced fibre-metal laminate composites can be in automotive and aerospace industries and other local manufacturing companies, due to their high strength and stiffness. The study investigates the tensile, compressive and flexural properties of the fabricated composites (kenaf and flax composites). The two composites were fabricated in a mould using a traditional method (hand lay-up) cured at room temperature and post-cured in an oven at 80⁰C for 3 hours. The properties test of the composites was carried out using a universal testing machine (UTM). Five samples were cut from each sample based on the ASTM standard for tensile, compression, and flexural test. The result of the test shows a decrease in the properties of pure synthetic fibre metal laminates. Flax composite is 14.22% and 22.03% greater than kenaf composite and 25.64% lower than it in terms of tensile, compressive and flexural strength respectively. Based on the strength obtained in the study, the composites can be used in automobile and aerospace industries for developing different components even in the interior and exterior sections of aerospace.