Tensile Strength of Abaca Epoxy Laminated Composites

Abstract Natural fibre composites (NFC’s) are known for their high specific strength, light weight and recyclability. And natural fibres are preferred over synthetic fibres as reinforcement in polymer composites because natural fibres are inexpensive and environment friendly. This research work deals with the fabrication and characterisation of abaca-epoxy composites using hand layup technique. Prior to fabrication, abaca bi-directional mats were treated with 5 wt.% NaOH solution for its better wettability with epoxy resin matrix. Single, double and triple layered abaca-epoxy composites were prepared and compared with the help of their tensile strength. Hence, from the study it was deduced that addition of abaca fibre resulted in attaining better tensile strength