Evaluating the Durability of Flax-Sisal Hybrid Epoxy Composites under Mechanical and Moisture Loading

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has positioned natural fiber-reinforced composites as a promising alternative to synthetic composites. This study evaluates the mechanical and water absorption properties of flax/sisal hybrid epoxy composites fabricated using hand lay-up. The composites were prepared with varying fiber contents (2FS, 3FS, and 4FS configurations). Mechanical properties were investigated, including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and Interlaminar Shear Strength (ILSS). Water absorption behavior, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted. The findings highlight significant improvements in mechanical properties with increasing fiber content, though accompanied by higher water absorption.