RSM-Based Study on the Effect of Fiber Stacking and SiC in Kenaf/Glass Composites

Based on their beneficial effect of building sustainable use, the usage of natural resource fiber and synthetic fibers has gained greater interest in the automotive industry. This is because of light weight, more mechanical strength, better thermal and acoustical insulation and economical costs. Natural fiber-reinforced composites, synthetic fiber-reinforced composites or composites reinforced by hybrids of natural and synthetic fibers are applied depending on the requirements of the application. The research was targeted at assessing the effectiveness of 20 various hybrid nanocomposite samples, all of which had been made using a different set up of the glass fiber, jute fiber. Also, the silicon carbide (SiC) was added in the weight proportions of 3-4-5% and the orientations of the fibers in the structure were made to vary at 0, 45, and 90. The samples were produced by compression molding method and tested upon ASTM standards, results were recorded and analyzed. The Interlaminar shear strength of the composites was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Results indicated that the fiber layer configuration produced significant influences on the mechanical behavior. More precisely, the 5% SiC content combined with a 0 fibers orientation provided superior results with a maximum ILSS of 25MPa. Also, predictive models were developed to define the mechanical properties of the hybrid nanocomposites and validated statistically with statistical analysis methods proving to be accurate and reliable for sustainable development Product.