HYBRID POLYMER COMPOSITE OF ABACA-E-GLASS AND EPOXY-BAMBOO ACTIVATED CARBON NANOFILLER WITH VARIATIONS IN FIBER ORIENTATION

This research provides new composite materials utilizing treated abaca biomass fibers as reinforcement in composites, which are hybridized with E-glass synthetic fibers. This requires the employment of a bamboo-activated carbon-nanofiller composite polymer matrix. The mechanical characterization of the composites reinforced with abaca biomass fiber – treated with 5 % NaOH for 2 hours – and combined with an addition of a low percentage of bamboo-activated carbon nanofiller in the polymer matrix is conducted. Variants include abaca biomass fiber composites and abaca-E-glass hybrid composites, with fiber orientations in unidirectional (0°), bidirectional (0°/90°) and random configurations, providing potential solutions for improving the mechanical characteristics of the composites. The lamination of the composites is carried out using hand lay-up and vacuum bagging methods. Tensile tests are carried out according to ASTM D-3039. SEM analysis shows that the bamboo-activated carbon nanofiller and the matrix are properly combined. The matrix and the activated carbon nanofiller absorb the tensile test load simultaneously, distributing it to the fibers, acting as the composite reinforcement and thereby enhancing the composite’s strength. In addition, the surface lamination of the composite is more uniform due to the hybridization of abaca fibers with E-glass fibers so that it has a higher tensile strength, exhibiting a more consistent arrangement in both fiber diameter and configuration. Therefore, the tensile strength of abaca-E-glass/epoxy-bamboo activated carbon nanofiller composites with bidirectional (0°/90°) and unidirectional (0°) fiber configurations is 62.5 MPa and 128.5 MPa, respectively, showing strong potential for further development and broader application in medical equipment and ballistic technology.