Mechanical Properties of Jute Fiber Polyester Hybrid Composite Reinforced with Rice Husk

Abstract

The mechanical properties of natural fiber composites have attracted significant attention due to their potential to balance sustainability and performance. This study investigates a novel hybrid composite comprising jute fiber, polyester resin, and rice husk reinforcement. Fabricated using the hand lay-up technique, the composites were tested across five polyester-to-rice husk ratios (20:80, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, and 80:20). Mechanical testing, including tensile, flexural, impact, and water absorption tests, was conducted in accordance with ASTM standards, and the results were validated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The 80:20 polyester-to-rice husk ratio emerged as optimal, achieving superior tensile strength (20.71 MPa), flexural strength (73.16 MPa), and impact resistance (0.8658 J), alongside minimal water absorption (3.161%). These findings highlight the potential of jute fiber-polyester composites reinforced with rice husk as eco-friendly alternatives for industrial applications, particularly in lightweight and structural components.