Hybrid composites with natural fibres

Kim, Hyeyoung (2015). Hybrid composites with natural fibres. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to demonstrate that bamboo and coir fibres, with an epoxy resin matrix, can be fabricated to produce unidirectional composites. A secondary aim was to demonstrate the production of intra-ply hybrids with unidirectional bamboo fibres and spread E-glass fibres. The methods explored in this work to produce the unidirectional arrays of bamboo and coir fibre preforms involved the use of a carding process to align the as-received bamboo fibres. A new method for spreading E-glass bundles or tows was developed in the author’s research group. The feasibility of using the spread E-glass fibre bundles with the uni-directional bamboo preforms to manufacture a new class of intra-fibre hybrids was undertaken. A resin infusion fabrication method was used to manufacture the uni-directional bamboo and E-glass/bamboo. Tensile testing was used to determine the mechanical properties of the bamboo and E-glass/bamboo hybrid composites. The as-fabricated cross-sections and the post-tensile tested fracture surfaces were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy respectively.
This study developed and demonstrated a method to fabricate uni-directional arrays of bamboo and coir fibre preforms and a technique to produce intra-ply hybrid bamboo/E-glass composites.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):