The mechanical properties of textile fabrics reinforced hybrid composites

In this current study, hybrid composites were made of three elements; rubberwood, coconut shell and textile fabrics (woven cotton and polyester fabrics). Urea formaldehyde was used as binder. Composite without any textile fabric reinforcement were also fabricated as control samples. The main purpose behind these new fabricated composites was to observe the effect of the textile fabrics on its mechanical and physical properties. Flexural strength, impact strength, water absorption and thickness swelling tests were conducted to determine the mechanical and physical properties of the fabricated hybrid composites respectively. Results of flexural and impact tests showed that the mechanical properties of this new fabricated hybrid composites were better than the control sample. Cotton fabric reinforced hybrid composite sample had better flexural but lower impact strength in comparison with sample polyester fabric reinforced hybrid composite sample. All fabricated new hybrid composites were also recorded to have lower water absorption in comparison with control sample. Furthermore, cotton fabric reinforced hybrid composite sample showed lower water absorption than polyester fabric reinforced hybrid composite sample due to poor adhesion between polyester and urea formaldehyde. In terms of thickness swelling, both types of hybrid composite possessed higher values than control sample. Overall, these new fabricated hybrid composites showed better results with the incorporation of textile fabric layers. The study has provided better understanding on mechanical and physical properties of hybrid composite reinforced with textile fabrics.