Production of epoxy composites reinforced by different natural fibers and their mechanical properties

Abstract

The aim of this research is the production of epoxy resin composites reinforced by birch, palm, and eucalyptus fibers with resin transfer molding technique and molded fiber production technique combination. The tensile stress of birch, palm, and eucalyptus reinforced epoxy composites were determined as 29.53, 42.24, and 45.28 MPa, respectively. Bending stress of birch, palm and eucalyptus reinforced epoxy composites were found as 58.83, 68.58, and 79.92 MPa, respectively. The birch epoxy composite had 0.105 J impact energy while palm and eucalyptus epoxy composites were determined as 0.130 and 0.124 J, respectively. It is clearly observed that fiber type was very effective on the mechanical properties of composites. The results of studies showed that molded fiber production method had a very promising future for the development of natural fiber reinforced composites. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd