Investigation of static and dynamic mechanical properties of CPFLSF and PPLSFreinforced polyester hybrid composites

The composites are prepared by reinforcing with 7-mm-short treated coconut tree primary flower leaf stalk fiber (CPFLSF) and palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber (PPLSF) in the polyester matrix. Compression molding was used to fabricate the hybrid composite plates. The 7C10P20C (treated 7-mm coconut tree primary flower leaf stalk fiber/palmyra palm leaf stalk–reinforced polymer hybrid composite) showed the maximum tensile strength (47.14MPa), flexural strength (73.56MPa), and impact strength (10.56kJ/m 2 ), respectively. Reinforcement of alkali-treated palmyra palm fibers enhanced the loss modulus, storage modulus, and damping factor (tanδ) for the 7C10P20C. The final thermal decomposition stage of the 7C10P20 hybrid composite takes place at 550°C with a maximum residual mass of 26%. The morphological study confirms the less pullout, fracture surface, and better bonding between the matrix and reinforcement of the 7C10P20C. A minimum amount of water was absorbed by the 7C10P20C during the water absorption test, due to the maximum hydrophobic nature. In the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), maximum storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) were observed in the values of 1392MPa and 259.2 MPa obtained for the 7C10P20 hybrid composite. The measured property results are compared with each other and with various natural fiber polymer composites and reported in this work. The results demonstrate that the produced composites are stable, with high tensile strength and bending rigidity, allowing material engineers to use the material in light-load applications.