Tensile and fatigue properties of Jute-Glass hybrid fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

In this study, the tensile properties and fatigue life of woven jute-glass hybrid-reinforced epoxy composite were investigated experimentally. Various types of composites with different constituents (jute, glass and hybrid composites) were prepared and tested according to ASTM (D3039 and D3479) standards. Tests included: tensile test for determining the monotonic tensile strength and modulus, and tension-tension fluctuating cyclic loading with a frequency of 5 Hz and stress ratio of 0.1 for measuring the fatigue life and stiffness degradation. The results showed that jute fibre could partially replace glass fibre within the polymeric hybrid composites towards the production of more eco-friendly composites although there was a relative decline in composite's tensile properties and fatigue life. Incorporation of jute fibre within the hybrid composite reduced the fatigue sensitivity (stiffness degradation) of the composite. A comparison between glass and hybrid composites indicates that composite's stiffness after 10 000 cycles reduced 21% (glass composites), 16% (30:70 of jute:glass hybrid composites), and 12% (45:55 of jute:glass hybrid composites). Results suggested that the eco-friendly and cheap natural fibres such as jute could be successfully hybridised with glass fibre for structures subjected to cyclic loading.