Influences of a novel henequen fabric structure on the mechanical properties of a polymeric composite

This study discusses the effect of quantity and stacking sequence of two different woven henequen fabrics on the mechanical performance of henequen/epoxy composites. Tensile and flexural properties of the composites were improved when the modified woven fabric was used, which is ascribed to the increase in adherence between fiber-matrix at the knots of fibers in this fabric, providing a mechanical anchoring at the knot with the matrix and creating a strong bond which prevents fiber slip and pull-out. Hence, by tailoring and designing the fabric structural geometry, improvements on the mechanical properties of polymer composites can be achieved. Key words: