Kapok/Glass Polyester Hybrid Composites: Tensile and Hardness Properties

The mechanical properties of short uniaxially-oriented intimately-mixed kapok/glass fabric-reinforced polyester hybrid composites were investigated with reference to the fabric content, keeping the volume ratios of kapok to glass at 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1. The 9 vol% of fabric for kapok/glass was optimized. Hybrid composite materials were made by hand layup technique. The mechanical properties like tensile and hardness properties of the composites were studied. Best results were obtained for composites having increased glass fabric content in kapok/glass. The effect of alkali treatment of fabrics on the mechanical properties of these kapok/glass hybrid composites has also been studied. A significant improvement was observed in tensile and hardness properties of these composites by alkali treatment. Tensile properties were found to be better in composites having volume ratios of kapok to glass at 1:3 ratios. The hybrid composites exhibited good properties compared to the single kind of fabric/polyester composites.