Ethiopian Sisal fiber and Unsaturated Polyester Composite Panel Fabrication to Characterize Flexural Properties for Future Opportunities in Car Body Applications

Abstract

Ethiopian Sisal fibers were extracted manually and treated with alkali to enhance fiber and matrix adhesion. Sisal fibre reinforced  unsaturated polyester composites were devolved by hand lay-up techniques. Sisal fibers bundle strength has been tested by pressley  strength tester machine. Average bundle strength of the fiber was 67.12g/ tex. The fibers maturity % was 15.82. Sisal fibers have been  oriented by using mini card machine, where it's aligned in parallel way and stitched by using conventional sewing machine. The sisal fiber  reinforced unsaturated polyester composites have been made with different ply arrangements such as unidirectional arrangement  (0^o 4), (90^o 4), and cross ply orientations (0^o /90^o ) s. All the test samples were prepared as per the ASTM standards. The experimental  results showed that the flexural strength of 57/43 % by volume ratio of sisal fiber reinforced polymer composites with axial directional  arrangement (0^o 4) gives better results, which is 37 N/mm2 . Sisal reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composite shows better   mechanical properties applicable for car body applications.