The effect of physical and mechanical properties on hybrid empty fruit bunches fibres/bamboo strips reinforced polyester composites

In this study, oil palm fibres/crushed bamboo strips reinforced hybrid composites fabricated by hand lay-up techniques. Oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and bamboo crushed strips were reinforcement in polyester matrix by keeping the total fibres loading at 40%. Trilayed hybrid composites produced by stacking the EFB fibres as the core layer and crushed bamboo strips as outer layer. Pure crushed bamboo strips (100% bamboo fibres) and pure EFB fibres (100% oil palm fibre) composites as well as neat polyester also prepared for comparison with hybrid composites. Physical and mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact) properties of hybrid and pure composites were investigated. Hybrid composites display better dimensional stability as compared to oil palm and bamboo composites. It observed from results that hybrid composites produced by hybridization of crushed bamboo strips with oil palm EFB fibres show better mechanical performances especially tensile and flexural properties up to 132.8MPa and 119.08 MPa, respectively. SEM micrographs of tensile fracture of composites were anyalzed for morphological study. Developed hybrid composites can be used for fabrication of automotive and building components.