Mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional jute/snake plant fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

This study investigates the unidirectional (UD) jute/snake plant fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with various fiber weight percentages (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100) manufactured by the hand lay-up technique. Their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact), thermal properties (thermal conductivity, heat resistance, thermal stability, and thermal transitions (e.g., melting, crystallization, and Tg)), water absorption, and morphologies are then evaluated. It is found that the UD hybrid composite made with 25 % jute and 75 % snake plant exhibits better tensile modulus and strength of 4.02 GPa and 112.83 MPa, respectively, and maximum impact strength of 185.18 kJ/m2, whereas the UD hybrid composite of 50 % jute/50 % snake plant shows a maximum flexural strength of 159.89 MPa. The thermal conductivity of UD composites increases with the increase in snake plant fiber, and the UD hybrid composite consisting of 75 % jute/25 % snake plant displays the minimum thermal conductivity (0.20 W/mK). Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses show that all UD composites offer moderate thermal stability at high temperatures. The degree of water absorption of UD composites decreases with increasing snake plant fiber, and the UD composite of 25 % jute/75 % snake plant shows minimum water absorption. The outcome of this study indicates that the UD hybrid composites with comparatively higher contents of snake plant fiber can potentially be used for applications where significant mechanical properties are required with moderate thermal stability (e.g., aircraft interior panels, car door panels, seat foundations, the inner structure of trains, helmets, surfboards, and so on). [Display omitted] •Composite comprising 25 % jute and 75 % snake plant exhibits better tensile properties and impact strength.•Flexural strength increases with increasing snake plant fiber except for slight inconsistency.•Failures of composites occur predominately due to fiber pull-out, fracture of fibers, fiber-matrix debonding, and voids.•Thermal conductivity of composites rises with the increase in snake plant fiber.•All composites represent moderate thermal stability at high temperatures.