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Corresponding Author

Abd El Moezz, Sara

Subject Area

Mechanical Power Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Developments in the area of natural fiber reinforced composites have based mainly on random discontinuous natural fibers. Rice straw is used as one of these discontinuous fibers. Uniform distribution of discontinuous natural fibers in composite laminates is difficult to be attained. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to develop new rice straw mat with a good distribution of rice straw fibers that reduces the discontinuity and make the mat nearly homogeneous. The rice straws are treated with 2 wt % sodium hydroxide solution then formed into a mat. This new rice straw mat is used to reinforce a polyester matrix. Hybrid composites are produced from rice straw mat and glass fiber reinforced polyester. Tensile, flexural, shear, impact, hardness, and water absorption behavior of these natural composites are investigated. Rice straw composites have higher mechanical properties than pure polyester. Hybridization enhances the mechanical properties over rice straw composites. The fracture surfaces of natural fiber reinforced polyester composites are examined by scanning electron microscope.

Keywords

Rice straw mat; polymer composites; Hybrid composites; Mechanical Properties

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