Bending Strength of Polyester Composites Reinforced with Stitched Random Orientation and Plain Weave Abaca Fiber

Abstract

Abstract This paper discusses the bending strength of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite made from polyester resin matrix and abaca fiber. The abaca fiber was prepared in the form of stitched random orientation and plain weave woven fabric. The abaca FRP composite was produced by using hand-lay-up method with the variation of weight percentage of the fiber. The weight density of the FRP composite was measured to determine the effect of fiber percentage to the weight density of the composite panel. The three points bending test was performed in order to examine the maximum bending force and flexural strength of the abaca FRP composite. The result of the experiment shows that the fiber weight percentage gave significant effect to the weight density and flexural strength of the abaca composite. Furthermore, the comparison between the two types of fiber form shows that the abaca plain weave woven fiber produces higher flexural strength compare to stitched random orientation woven fiber at all levels of fiber contents.