Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Qatu, Mohamad

Committee Member

Horstemeyer, Mark

Committee Member

Shi, Q. Sheldon

Date of Degree

8-6-2011

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

In an effort to present more ‘green’ material for massive manufacturing that are both competitive in their properties and can be more environmental friendly, natural fibers are being considered for possible applications in the automotive industry. This paper shows an exploratory study of the effects of pressure and layup on a hybrid composite of randomly oriented woven kenaf fibers and fiberglass/polyester sheet molding compound (SMC). In addition to initial testing performed on their water absorption and other important properties, these hybrid composites were tested to determine the bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the bending modulus of rupture (MOR) as well as the tensile modulus of elasticity (MOE), ultimate tensile strength. Pictures are taken from a Spectral Electron Microscope to determine if the fiber mats were properly penetrated by the resin and if the structural integrity of the fibers was maintained during manufacture.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/15325

Comments

fiberglass composite||composites||natural fiber||kenaf

Download

Share

COinS