Received: 24 January 2024 Revised: 4 March 2024 Accepted: 6 March 2024

DOI: 10.1002/pc.28336

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Development of hybrid green composites by dual natural

fibers (jute/bamboo) reinforcement and investigation of
their mechanical behavior

Haftamu Abraha Guangul 1 | M. N. Prabhakar 2 | Dong Woo Lee 2 | Jung-il Song 3

1
Department of Smart Manufacturing
Engineering, Changwon National Abstract
University, Changwon, Republic of Korea This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of natural fiber hybrid
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, composites, specifically those based on jute and bamboo fibers. Jute fibers
Changwon National University, Research
made in the form of highly scattered mesh and fine-meshed bamboo mat were
Institute of Mechatronics, Changwon,
Republic of Korea selected as reinforcing materials. The highly scattered meshed jute fabric
3
Department of Mechanical Engineering, composite showed poor mechanical properties owing to resin agglomeration,
Changwon National University, leading to the brittle fracture of the composite before elongation. In contrast,
Changwon, Republic of Korea
the randomly oriented fine-meshed bamboo fabric performed better in terms
Correspondence of both mechanical properties and strain energy absorption under the same
Jung-il Song, Changwon National
loading conditions. Hybridization with fine bamboo mesh fibers can be a
University, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Uichang-gu, Changwon solution to improve the mechanical properties of jute fabric composites. The
51140, Gyeongsangnam-do, tensile, flexural, and in-plane shear properties of the composites are investi-
Republic of Korea.
gated in our study. We found that hybridizing a fine-meshed bamboo mat with
Email: [email protected]
jute fabric resulted in an improved mechanical performance of the composite.
Funding information Composite panels have been manufactured using vacuum assisted resin trans-
National Research Foundation of Korea,
Grant/Award Numbers:
fer molding (VARTM). Experimental and numerical methods have been used
2018R1A6A1A03024509, to investigate the flexural behavior. Of the stacking sequences considered, the
2023R1A2C1006234 (J/B4/J) stacking showed the highest flexural strength (141.1 Mpa) and
the (B2/J2/B2) 2/2 stacking sequence showed the minimum flexural strength.
The alternating stacking sequence (B/J/B/J/B/J) exhibited intermediate prop-
erties. The randomly oriented bamboo fabric near the neutral axis enhanced
the properties of the hybridized composite. This was verified numerically
using the ANSYS ACP software.
Highlights
• Mechanical behavior of Hybrid composite of two natural fibers was
investigated.
• Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding was used to manufacture composite
panels.
• Tensile, in plane shear, 3 point flexural tests and SEM micro analysis
were done.
• FEA was used to validate and compare the experimental and numerical
results.

Polymer Composites. 2024;1–11. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pc © 2024 Society of Plastics Engineers. 1

2 ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL.

• Resin agglomeration was improved by fibers with better resin impregnation

property.

KEYWORDS
bamboo fibers, hybrid composite, jute fibers, mechanical properties, natural fibers, vinyl
ester matrix

1 | INTRODUCTION performance characteristics of composite materials, several

options, such as natural/natural fiber hybrid composites,
The use of natural fiber composites can be traced back to natural/synthetic hybrid composites, and synthetic/
ancient Egyptians who made bricks from clay mud and synthetic hybrid composites, have been proposed.
straw.1 In recent times, the use of natural fibers as Natural fiber hybrid composites are sustainable and
reinforcing materials in polymer matrix composites has versatile materials with a combination of natural fibers
gained considerable research attention. Especially in the within a polymer matrix.12,13 They offer a balance of
automotive industry, the increased demand for sound properties, including strength, lightweight design, and
insulation qualities and low weight (leading to fuel effi- cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for a wide range
ciency) requirements can be met by using natural fibers of applications, while contributing to sustainable and
as alternatives.2 One of the recent developments in natural eco-friendly material solutions.14,15 However, certain lim-
fibers is the use of flax fibers on a race car body by Tesla.1 itations still need to be addressed for use in highly sophis-
Natural fibers are preferred because bio-based fibers have ticated structural applications, mainly because of poor
an additional advantage in that they are ecofriendly and matrix-fiber adhesion. Composite structures obtained
contribute little or no carbon-dioxide emissions to the envi- from natural fibers do not provide satisfactory mechani-
ronment.3 Natural fibers exhibit a low specific strength, low cal properties.4,7 Hence, in-depth studies on the overall
density, simple processing, and recyclability. New materials behavior of natural fibers are currently underway. To
are constantly evolving and emerging daily. The high date, significant weight reduction has been achieved
strength, low weight, and biodegradability of natural fiber using natural fibers with strengths comparable to those
composites have attracted the attention of researchers for obtained from conventional materials such as steel and
their use as alternative materials for different structural and aluminum in some structural applications.16
nonstructural applications.4 Weight optimization is one of the main design param-
Because there are many varieties of natural fibers, their eters in the aerospace industry. It is important for aero-
physical and mechanical properties also vary. In addition, space engineers and designers to obtain a material that
their distribution and abundance differ by region. Natural can achieve the required structural load-carrying capabil-
fibers such as Jute and Bamboo are widely grown in coun- ity with the minimum possible weight.17 In this regard, a
tries of South East Asia. According to credible resources, study conducted by Kurien et al.18 explained the potential
such as FAOSTAT, more than 70% of natural jute fibers of emerging natural fibers as sustainable materials for
are produced in South East Asia,1,4 whereas Europe is the structural applications, addressing the need for reduced
largest producer of flax fibers, where more than 150,000 weight requirements. According to them, using jute natu-
tons (80% of the world's annual production) of flax fibers ral fiber instead of fiberglass synthetic fiber leads to a net
are produced annually.5 Their inherent properties and weight saving of up to 50% owing to its lower density. In
regional distribution significantly affect their costs.6 While contrast, using natural flax fibers over carbon synthetic
research on the potential of natural fibers in composite fibers can achieve a weight saving of up to 20%. There-
structures is ongoing, their applications in automobile, fore, using natural fibers can provide designers with an
aerospace, construction, and consumer products have optimized weight that satisfies the required mechanical
shown encouraging progress.7 properties.
Hybrid composites offer the advantage of combining Studies on natural/natural fiber hybrid composites are
the strengths of different materials while minimizing their underway.19,20 The widespread availability of jute and bam-
weaknesses.8–10 There are various types of hybrid compos- boo natural fibers in the Southeast Asia region, coupled
ites each tailored for specific applications and needs.,11 with their eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness on
developed fully “green” untreated jute fiber hybrid com- one hand, and their distinctive mechanical properties on
posites based on a potato starch matrix designed to obtain the other, has positioned them as compelling subjects for
improved mechanical properties. To achieve the specific further study.
ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL. 3

Different researchers have adopted different approaches VARTM setup was as follows: an aluminum plate mold
to discover eco-friendly hybrid natural fibers for various was cleaned and a releasing agent was introduced on the
engineering applications. Tran et al.21 studied the micro- surface to ease the removal of the composite. Fabric of
structural properties of a polymer matrix and evaluated the size 250
250 mm were cut and stacked layer by layer.
effect of the reinforcement size, with a particular focus on Then a peel ply was placed on top for easy removal of the
fire sensitivity. Another researcher22 studied The influence panel later on, and a resin flow net was placed to main-
of equi-biaxially fabric pre-stressing on the flexural perfor- tain a uniform distribution of resin throughout the com-
mance of woven E-glass/polyester-reinforced composites. posite. Double-sided tape was used to seal the vacuum
One notable research by23 reported impact damage detec- bags. Polyurethane pipes with a diameter of 5 mm were
tion and quantification for CFRP laminates using structural used as the inlet and outlet channels. A vacuum pump
response data only. (maintained pressure 0.01 MPa) and vinyl ester resin
The aim of this study is to propose an effective way of (density,1.03 g/cc, tensile modulus 3 to 3.3 MPa and spe-
developing a polymer matrix composites with improved the cific gravity 1.03 to 1.05 g/cc)14 in a proportion of
mechanical behavior using dual natural fibers of a relatively (VE/MEKP/CN 100:1:1) was used. A similar procedure
lower mechanical property by hybridizing with another nat- was used to manufacture hybrid composites with differ-
ural fiber that has unique property. For this purpose, a ent stacking sequences. A schematic of the VARTM setup
highly scattered meshed jute fibers was selected, which is is shown in Figure 1C for better understanding. Curing
also widely available in the market. One issue with this form was performed at room temperature.
of jute fiber, when used as a reinforcing material with a
polymer matrix, is resin agglomeration, which leads to poor
mechanical properties and brittle failure with little strain. 2.3 | Testing
To overcome this problem, hybridization with a fine-meshed
fiber (a bamboo mat in this case) was proposed. Fine- Test specimens for tensile testing with embedded
meshed bamboo mats have relatively better mechanical strain gauges, in-plane shear testing with embedded
properties and higher strain energies before failure. Finite strain gauges, and flexural tests were prepared according
element analysis (FEA) has been used by many researchers to their respective ASTM standards. Subsequently, an
to optimize the design of engineering concepts.24–26 In the experimental test was performed on a UTM-M RB301 at
present study, we used experimental and numerical a speed rate of 2 mm/min and a load cell of 2.5 ton.
approaches to validate the effectiveness of our approach. From a tensile test with a strain gauge, the orthotropic
properties of the composite, namely, Poisson's ratios (vxy, vyz,
and vxz) were evaluated. From the flexural tests, the moduli
2 | EXPERIMEN T AL ME T H OD of elasticity (Ex, Ey, and Ez) of the composites were evalu-
ated. The moduli of rigidity (Gxy, Gyz, and Gxz) were
2.1 | Materials obtained from in-plane shear tests. The flexural strengths of
both composite panels were obtained, as listed in Table 1.
Vinyl ester (VE) resin (Type: KRF-1031) viscosity: 150 cps
and specific gravity: 1.03, Tensile modulus 3–
3.3 MPa,14,27 methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) hard- 2.4 | ANSYS ACP numerical simulation
ener, cobalt naphthalate (CN) accelerator, and Teflon
sheets are purchased from CCP composites, Korea. Bidi- In this study, we used FEA based on ANSYS ACP to eval-
rectionally meshed jute and bamboo fabrics were pur- uate and select the optimal stacking. Using the engineer-
chased from local suppliers in South Korea. ing constants obtained from the experiment, a numerical
simulation using ANSYS ACP was performed to obtain
an optimum stacking sequence with the best mechanical
2.2 | Methods properties. The numerical data of both Jute and Bamboo
fiber composites as tabulated in Table 2.
2.2.1 | Vacuum-assisted resin transfer
method
2.5 | Morphology
The vacuum-assisted resin transfer method was used to
manufacture composite laminates of bidirectional jute The morphology of the flexural fractured surfaces was
fibers and a randomly oriented bamboo mat with a vinyl observed using scanning electron microscopy (Tabletop
ester matrix, as described by Prabhakar et al.14,28 The SEM) (Model: Emcrafts Cube II, Korea) at an accelerated
4 ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL.

F I G U R E 1 Digital and 3D microscopic images of the materials used for the study. (A) Bidirectional Jute. (B) Bamboo mat. (C)
Schematic of stacking sequences. (D) Schematic diagram of vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM).

TABLE 1 Composite codes, their composition, and the flexural strength.

Weight fraction (%) Flexural strength (MPa)

Composite code Stacking sequence Stacking structure Jute Bamboo Matrix Result
1 [J]6 6 layers of jute 0.3 0 0.7 74.5
2 [B]6 6 layers of bamboo 0 0.3 0.7 105.8

TABLE 2 Numerical result of jute and bamboo composites.

Density (g/cc) Flexural strength (MPa)

Composite code Stacking sequence Stacking structure Jute Bamboo Simulation result
1 [J]6 6 layers of jute 1.1 — 105.65
2 [B]6 6 layers of bamboo — 0.8 130.67

voltage of 20 kV, and the samples were sputter-coated was used to compute Poisson's ratio. Poisson's ratio data
with gold using an Ion Sputter Coater G20 (GSEM, were used as the input for the simulation.
Korea) under argon flow.

2.7 | In plane shear property of the

2.6 | Tensile test composites

A tensile test was performed using a universal testing The in-plane shear test was performed in accordance to
machine (UTM-M RB301) at a speed of 2 mm/min with a the ASTM D5379 standard test method for the shear prop-
load cell setup of 2.5 ton. The aim of the test was to erties of composite materials using V-notched beams.31
obtain the engineering constants of the Poisson's ratio of This test was performed to determine the rigidity modulus
the composites under consideration. After preparing the of the composite. For this, after preparing the V-Notched
tensile specimens according to the Standard Test Method composite beams according to the standard, strain gages
for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite were carefully installed at ±45 to each other. The in-plane
Materials1 ASTM D3039,29 strain gauges were attached shear test specimen (Figure 2C) and a schematic diagram
to both the pure bidirectional jute and bamboo composite of the in-plane shear test setup are shown in Figure 2D.
test specimens at an angle of 90 to each other according The tests were performed using a universal testing
to the guidelines described in the standard.30 The machine (UTM-M RB301) at a speed of 2 mm/min and a
test specimens are shown in Figure 2. Table 3 lists the load cell of 2.5 kgf at room temperature. An MGCPlus data
Poisson's ratios of each composite obtained through acquisition system was used to compute the rigidity modu-
the experiments. The MGCPlus data acquisition system lus. The test results are presented in Table 4.
ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL. 5

F I G U R E 2 Tensile test specimens after failure: (A) Jute composite and (B) Bamboo composite, (C) In-plane shear test specimens, (D)
In-plane shear test setup, (E) Flexural test setup, and (F) Flexural test specimens of the different stacking sequences.

TABLE 3 Poisson's ratio test results. of 2.5 ton at room temperature. These parameters are
evaluated using the following equations:
Jute composite Bamboo composite
3PL
Constant Value Constant Value σf ¼ ,
1 vxy 0.01 vxy 0.01
2bd2

2 vyz 0.26 vyz 0.27

where σ f is the flexural strength, P is the maximum load
3 vxz 0.26 vxz 0.27 applied, L is the span, b is the width of the specimen, and
d is the depth of the specimen [8].
The test specimens were prepared according to the
TABLE 4 Modulus of rigidity of the composites.
standard, as shown in Figure 2E, and the test was per-
Jute composite Bamboo composite formed as shown in the schematic diagram Figure 2E.
Constant Value (GPa) Constant Value (GPa)
Flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of both com-
posite materials are listed in Table 5.
1 Gxy 3.0 Gxy 1.5*
2 Gyz 2.5 Gyz 2.5*
3 Gxz 2.5 Gxz 1.5* 3 | RESULTS A ND DISCUSSION
*Data from literature.
3.1 | Numerical solution using
ANSYS ACP
2.8 | Flexural property of the pure
composite FEA has been used by several researchers to optimize the
design of engineering concepts.24 Using the obtained
A three-point flexural test was performed to determine engineering constants as input, a simulation was per-
the interfacial adhesion strength between the fibers, that formed using ANSYS ACP to determine the most opti-
is, the overall structural integrity of the composite mate- mum stacking sequence regarding the flexural strength.
rial. Moreover, the test allowed us to determine the flex- The simulated stacking sequences and results obtained
ural strengths (σ f ) and modulus of elasticity (E) of the from the simulation are listed in Table 6.
composites. The tests were conducted in accordance with The simulation results in Table 6 (composite codes
ASTM D 790–03.32 A universal testing machine (UTM-M 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) show that the randomly oriented bam-
RB301) was used at a speed of 2 mm/min and a load cell boo fabric improves the mechanical properties of the
6 ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL.

T A B L E 5 Flexural modulus of
Jute composite Bamboo composite
elasticity and flexural strength of the
Modulus of elasticity Value (GPa) Modulus of elasticity Value (GPa) composites.
1 Ex 4.5 Ex 3
2 Ey 4.5 Ey 3
3 Ez 2 Ez 2
Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural strength (MPa)
74.5 105.8

TABLE 6 Stacking sequences and their flexural results.

Mass fraction (g) Flexural strength (MPa)

Composite Code Stacking sequence* Stacking structure Jute Bamboo Simulation result
1 [B/J4/B] Sandwich 60 12 100.74
2 [J2/B2/J2] 2/2 fiber stacking 54.7 12 112.39
3 [J/B4/J] Sandwich 36 22 141.1
4 [B2/J2/B2] 2/2 fiber stacking 28 23 96.9
5 [B/J]3 Alternating 41 13 121.97

Note: *B = Nonwoven bamboo, *J = Woven bidirectional jute.

highly meshed bidirectional jute fabric. Generally, when imprint was very small, making the bamboo composite
a fine bamboo mat is stacked between jute fibers, an relatively stronger. From this result, we can say that the
improvement in flexural strength is observed. Interest- introduction of randomly oriented fine fibers (bamboo
ingly, when the bamboo mat was kept near the middle fibers in this case) into highly scattered meshed fibers (jute
(neutral axis) of the hybrid composite, an even better fibers in this case) can solve the problem of agglomeration,
composite strength was observed (Composite Codes 2, 3, and a composite with improved mechanical properties for
and 5). This is mainly because bamboo is much stronger intended applications can be obtained. Figure 3 shows the
than the jute fiber, as was revealed in Section 2.8, Table 6 selected simulation results for different stacking
and hence, the bamboo mat positively affects the hybrid sequences.
composite. In addition, the mechanical properties of The ANSYS ACP simulation helps us decide which
bamboo mats were found to be better than those of jute stacking sequence is optimal for our requirements with
fiber composites, as discussed by Razdan et al. in their minimum cost and time. From the simulation results, it
study on the tensile properties of the two composites.33 can be observed that the stacking sequence [J/B4/J] was
In contrast, when the jute fiber was kept near the neutral optimal. After analyzing the simulation results, the next
axis of (Composite codes 1 and 4), the hybrid composite stage was to manufacture the composite structure that
showed a relatively lower flexural strength, even though best suited our requirements, that is, the maximum flex-
similar thicknesses were maintained. The main reason ural strength in this case. The experimental result also
for the lower mechanical strength of the jute fiber was revealed that the best stacking sequence in terms of flex-
resin agglomeration between the highly scattered meshes ural strength was the stacking sequence [J/B4/J], which
of the jute fabric used in this study.34,35 This leads to a agree with the simulation result.
jute fabric composite structure that fails in a brittle man-
ner following matrix cracking. This was also revealed by
analyzing the SEM image in Section 3.2.2. (SEM images 3.2 | Experimental results and
of jute and bamboo and their hybrid composite fracture discussion
surfaces), where it was clearly observed that the presence
of bamboo fibers affected the modes of fracture in both 3.2.1 | Flexural properties
composites completely differently. A large void was left
owing to fiber pullout (a), and from this point, matrix Once the numerical solution for the different stacking
cracking was initiated, leading to composite fracture. In sequences is obtained, the results are analyzed, and the
contrast, in the bamboo composite fibers, the pullout best stacking sequence in relation to the flexural properties
ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL. 7

FIGURE 3 (A) [B6], (B) [J6], (C) [B2/J2/B2], (D) [J/B4/J], (E) [B/J4/B], (F) [J2/B2/J2], and (G) [B/J/B/J/B/J].

FIGURE 4 Flexural stress–strain curves of the Jute, Bamboo and Hybrid composites.

is selected. The VARTM method was used to manufacture modes of failure. The jute composite was superior in
the test specimens. The flexural test samples were pre- terms of bending stiffness. In contrast, the bamboo com-
pared and tested according to ASTM D 790–03. posite showed superior elasticity property before failure,
Flexural tests revealed that the bamboo and jute com- that is, it showed more strain-energy-absorbing capabil-
posites behaved differently, which makes it more inter- ity. In general, thermosetting polymer matrix composites
esting to study the hybridization of the two. As can be exhibit brittle failure modes, mainly because of the pres-
seen from the flexural stress–strain curves in Figure 4, ence of matrix elements.36–38 In our case, the highly
the pure composites exhibited unique characteristic scattered meshed nature of the jute fiber composite was
8 ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL.

F I G U R E 5 SEM images of flexural selected fracture surfaces: (A) Jute, (B) Bamboo, (C) [J2/B2/J2], (D) [J/B4/J], (E) [J2/B2/J2], (F) [B2/J2/
B2], and (G) [B/J/B/J/B/J].

susceptible to the formation of resin pockets, referred to failure was accompanied by the stretching of the fiber com-
as resin agglomeration. This excessive resin agglomeration ponents, followed by matrix cracking, and finally, compos-
is the main reason for the poor mechanical performance ite fracture. The behavior observed in the pure composites
of the jute composite, leading to premature failure of the was clearly reflected in the hybrid composites of the two,
jute composite before absorbing sufficient strain energy. affecting their flexural properties Figure 5C,D,E,F,G. Fiber
The potential for resin agglomeration, viscosity accumula- pull-out occurred in the jute fiber-dominated composite
tion, inadequate fiber polymer wetting, and poor disper- structure, leading to lower flexural strengths (a) and (d).
sion within the matrix results in brittle characteristics, as However, in the bamboo mat-dominated regions of the
discussed by Prabhuram et al.34 By contrast, the fine-mesh composite, even though fiber pull-out was inevitable, the
bamboo mat composite possesses a higher strain energy pull-out occurred slowly compared to the jute fibers (b), (e),
before failure. According to Zhao et al.,35 the matrix-fiber and (f). This is mainly due to the fiber pull-out in the bam-
interfacial interaction is better in finer fibers than in fibers boo composite occurring after elastic elongation, unlike the
of larger diameter. Therefore, the hybrid composite of jute fiber, which fails owing to its brittle nature. This was
these two fibers will be obviously a composite that com- also observed in the flexural stress–strain curves of the indi-
bined the best properties of the two constituent elements. vidual composites, shown in Figure 4, where the bamboo
The flexural stress–strain curves of the different stacking fibers exhibited a higher strain to failure. Resin agglomera-
sequences of the bamboo/jute hybrid composites are tion is another phenomenon observed in the meshed jute
shown in Figure 4. The effects of the two constituents were fiber composite (d). With regard to the resin impregnation
clearly observed in each of these hybrid composites. property, the bamboo mat showed a much better perfor-
mance than the jute fiber (g). This is why the bamboo com-
posite showed better flexural strength than the jute fiber
3.2.2 | Fracture morphology results composite.39 Matrix cracking was more severe in the
meshed jute fiber composite (d) than in the fine-meshed
After performing the flexural tests, scanning electron bamboo mat composite (b). This is further evidence of why
microscopy (SEM) images were obtained and the failure the bamboo mat performs much better than the jute fabric
modes were analyzed. Figure 5 shows SEM images of the in terms of flexural strength.
fracture surfaces of different stacking sequences. As shown
in Figure 5A, the pure jute composite was more susceptible
to resin agglomeration, fiber pullout, and fiber fracture. 3.2.3 | Comparison of Numerical and
Figure 5B shows the fracture surface of the pure bamboo Experimental Results
composite, where it can be clearly seen that the problems of
resin agglomeration and fiber pullout are relatively low The numerical and experimental comparison results
owing to the fine-meshed fibers. In this case, the mode of for all the composites investigated in this study are
ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL. 9

summarized in Figure 6. Whether it was a sandwich overall mechanical performance. The effectiveness of this
stacking sequence, 2/2 stacking, or alternating stacking, method was confirmed through experimental tests and
the presence of the randomly oriented nonwoven bam- numerical simulations using ANSYS ACP. The mechani-
boo mat between the bidirectional woven jute fabric cal properties of the laminated composite materials were
resulted in an improved flexural strength. This is because investigated numerically using ANSYS ACP. For exam-
the resin impregnation property was improved by the ple, Noman et al.40 investigated the mechanical strength
presence of the bamboo mat, thereby improving the of laminated composite carbon fiber with different orien-
interfacial bonding between the fibers and the matrix. tations. They explained the effects of different stacking
Owing to their smaller size, fine-meshed fibers tend to sequences on the mechanical properties of the compos-
have a larger surface-area-to-volume ratio than highly ites. Therefore, the limitations of the mechanical proper-
meshed fibers. This increased surface-area-to-volume ties of the most abundantly available natural fiber, jute,
ratio can facilitate better interfacial bonding with the in the region can be improved by introducing a nonwo-
matrix material, leading to improved load transfer and ven bamboo mat so that it can be used for certain struc-
tural applications, such as furniture, construction, and
interior parts of automobiles and aerospace vehicles.
Similar trends were observed in the experimental and
numerical results (Figure 6). When the bamboo mat was
set near the neutral axis of the composite, an improved
flexural performance was observed. This was demon-
strated both numerically and experimentally.

3.2.4 | Comparing the stiffness of the

composite

In engineering, it is typical to compare the properties of

new materials with those of known materials. The stiffness
of a material is an important parameter that should be
considered before it can be used in specific applications. In
light of this, the composite structure made through hybrid-
ization of meshed jute and bamboo mat was compared
FIGURE 6 Flexural strength (Experimental Vs Simulation with other known materials like carbon fiber and alumi-
results). num. The results are satisfactory, as shown in Figure 7A.

F I G U R E 7 (A) Comparison of flexural stiffness of Jute, Bamboo, and hybrid composites with existing engineering materials and (B)
Flexural test data of Jute, Bamboo, and Hybrid composites.
10 ABRAHA GUANGUL ET AL.

Carbon fibers are extremely stiff, strong, and lightweight C O N F L I C T O F I N T E R E S T S T A TE M E N T

materials. Aluminum is another material that is widely The authors declare they have no financial or other
used in lightweight applications. Therefore, it was observed competing interests.
that composite materials can be used as good substitutes for
these materials in certain applications. As explained in the DA TA AVAI LA BI LI TY S T ATE ME NT
Results and Discussion section of this article, and as can be No data was used for the research described in the
seen in Figure 7B, the jute composite possesses a higher article.
stiffness than the bamboo composite when acting sepa-
rately. This effect was clearly observed in hybrid composite ORCID
[B/J]3 where 50% of each fiber was used for hybridization. M. N. Prabhakar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2614-7890
According to Sahoo, Bhatia, and Arockiarajan,41 by
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