Comparative Analysis of the Tensile Properties of Polyester and Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Hemp Fibers

The present work compares the tensile properties of polyester and epoxy matrix composites reinforced with hemp fibers. Polyester and epoxy reinforced with different volume fractions of hemp fibers up to 30% were prepared according to ASTM D-638-14 and tensile tested. The epoxy matrix composites reinforced with 30% of fibers presented tensile strength of 53 MPa, while those of polyester matrix, 25 MPa. The elastic modulus of the epoxy matrix composites was 1.75 GPa and that of the polyester matrix 4.05 GPa. The tests showed that the resistance of the epoxy composites reinforced with hemp fiber is superior to those of polyester matrix. However, the stiffness of the polyester/hemp fiber composites is higher than the epoxy/hemp fiber ones.