Characterization of natural fiber reinforced epoxy resins composites using cabuya and sugarcane: mechanical properties comparative analysis

Abstract

In recent years, research on composite materials has increased interest in new materials and the development of engineering applications. This research is focused on characterizing natural fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites using cabuya fiber compared to the sugarcane fiber reinforcement through experimental tests based on ASTM standards for composite materials and a nonlinear and explicit transient dynamic finite element method FEM. The results determined that material M01 (cabuya fiber and epoxy resin) and configuration C02 (matrix 60% - reinforcement 40%) improved mechanical properties according to the experimental and FEM results; the statistical analysis concluded that the best mechanical properties are focused on the type of material, not in the configurations. The behavior of the fibers and adhesions between the matrix and reinforcing materials were analyzed by a fractographic method of the samples after testing. The comparative tests determined that the FEM analysis has an error of less than 1% in the maximum tensile strength and less than 10% for the maximum strength and force applied in bending, validating, and guaranteeing its use in CAE applications with a mathematical model according to the methodological criteria supported by the state of the art.