Mechanical and microstructural characterization of sisal fiber-reinforced polyester laminate composites for improved durability in automotive applications

This study investigates the effects of fiber concentration and the stacking sequence of laminae on the mechanical properties of a sisal-reinforced polyester composite. The mechanical properties, such as the tensile, flexural, and impact strength were characterized for laminated composite with different fiber concentrations and stacking sequences of lamina after they were processed using the hand layup weaved method. In addition to the mechanical properties, morphological analysis was done. Specimens with different fiber concentrations and stacking sequences were prepared using a manual compression molding technique that provides a flat plate with a thickness of 5 mm. The results showed that 40 wt% of sisal fiber-reinforced composites with 90/0/45 staking sequence have shown the maximum tensile (68.409 MPa), flexural (64.276 MPa), and impact (67.71 MPa) strength, and laminated composite with 90/0/45 staking sequence has shown superior tensile, flexural and impact properties as it compared with randomly oriented and non-woven fiber reinforced composite. The microstructure showed that a better interface adhesion was observed at 40 wt% of fiber and 90/0/45 staking sequence. Therefore, 90/0/45 laminated composite materials can be proposed for engineering applications that require equivalent properties, including automobile front-fender applications.