Journal of Natural Fibers

ISSN: 1544-0478 (Print) 1544-046X (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjnf20

Mechanical performance of oil palm/kenaf fiber-

reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites

Farah Hanan, Mohammad Jawaid & Paridah Md Tahir

To cite this article: Farah Hanan, Mohammad Jawaid & Paridah Md Tahir (2018): Mechanical
performance of oil palm/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites, Journal of
Natural Fibers, DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2018.1477083

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2018.1477083

Published online: 24 May 2018.

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JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2018.1477083

Mechanical performance of oil palm/kenaf fiber-reinforced

epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites
Farah Hanan, Mohammad Jawaid , and Paridah Md Tahir
Laboratory of Bio Composites Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry & Forest Product (INTROP), Universiti Putra
Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Owing to the recent trend and increasing awareness toward sustainable Oil palm fiber; kenaf fiber;
product design, natural fiber-based materials are gaining a revival popular- epoxy; hybrid composites;
ity to replace synthetic fiber in the composites industries, especially for mechanical properties;
morphological properties
automotive structural and semi-structural applications. In this work, natural
fibers bilayer hybrid composites were fabricated by hand-lay-up technique 关键词
by reinforcing oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and kenaf fiber mats with 油棕纤维; 红麻纤维; 环氧
epoxy matrix. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of hybridiz- 树脂; 混杂复合材料; 力学
ing of oil palm EFB-reinforced kenaf fiber on mechanical properties. Bilayer 性能
hybrid composites were prepared by hybridizing oil palm EFB and kenaf
fiber by maintaining different weight ratios of oil palm EFB and kenaf fiber
at 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4, with total fiber loading at 50% by weight. Results
showed that the tensile and flexural properties improved substantially on
increasing the content of kenaf fiber to oil palm EFB composites, whereas
the impact properties of pure EFB composite was much higher than those
of hybrid composites. The fracture surface morphology of tensile samples of
the composites was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

摘要
由于最近的趋势和日益意识到可持续产品设计，天然纤维为基础的材料
正在获得复兴流行，以取代合成纤维在复合材料行业，特别是汽车结构
和半结构应用。本工作采用手工铺层技术，通过对油棕空果束（EFB）和
红麻纤维毡进行环氧树脂基体增强，制备出天然纤维双层混杂复合材
料。研究红麻纤维负载对油棕空腹团纤维增强环氧复合材料力学性能和
形态性能的影响。将油棕空果皮束和红麻纤维杂交，保持油棕空果束和
红麻纤维4:1、1:1、1:4的不同重量比，总纤维负载量为50%，制备出双层
杂化复合材料。采用扫描电镜对复合材料拉伸试样的断口形貌进行了研
究，结果表明：随着红麻纤维含量的增加，油棕空芯复合材料的拉伸性
能和弯曲性能显著提高；纯空果团复合材料的PACT性能明显高于混杂复
合材料，表明红麻纤维对油棕榈/环氧复合材料的抗弯性能和拉伸性能均
有所提高，但冲击性能降低。

Introduction
The rising concerns on environmental protection issues have recently encouraged the use of renew-
able resources in biodegradable reinforcing materials as an alternative to synthetic fibers in the
composite industry due to their techno-ecological advantages. Research and development have
shown that natural fibers have been successfully used as reinforcements in the composites industry,
such as for transportation, interior components, building, aircraft, and construction area (Jawaid

CONTACT Mohammad Jawaid jawaid@upm.edu.my Laboratory of Bio Composites Technology, Institute of Tropical
Forestry & Forest Product (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia.
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/wjnf.
© 2018 Taylor & Francis
2 F. HANAN ET AL.

et al. 2012; Suoware, Ezema, and Edelugo 2017). Plant fibers such as sisal, kenaf, oil palm, flax, hemp,
bamboo, pineapple leaf, and banana are termed as natural fibers, and they have acceptable specific
strength properties, are nonabrasive, have lower cost, are lightweight and renewable, have good
specific modulus, lower pollutant emission, and lower energy requirement, and are biodegradable
(Jawaid et al. 2013; Potluri et al. 2017). Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is obtained after the
removal of oil seeds from the fruit bunch for oil extraction. It belongs to the species Elaeisguineensis
under the family Palmacea, and are found in the tropical forests of West Africa. The major industrial
cultivation happens in Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia (Sreekala,
Kumaran, and Thomas 1997). Oil palm EFB is one of the most abundant biomass materials that
is generated, and it was estimated that more than two million tons (dry weight) of extracted oil palm
fiber are generated annually in Malaysia. As the biggest palm oil exporter in the world, the huge
amount of oil palm EFB indicates there will be sustainable resources for the production of natural
fiber composites (Zuhri et al. 2010). Subramaniam et al. (2014) reported that in the milling process
of oil palm products, oil palm EFBs are normally sent back to the plantations for use in mulching
and as a fertilizer substitute. However, recent research has shown that oil palm EFB has great
potential as reinforcement in composites due to its low density, non-abrasiveness, biodegradability,
and certain other excellent properties (Haniffa et al. 2014; Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar
2010). Moreover, kenaf fiber is considered an industrial crop in Malaysia and in other parts of the
world because it contributes toward the development of eco-friendly production alternatives for the
automotive, food packing, pulp and paper, furniture, and sport industries. Kenaf fiber is produced
from the bast of the plant Hibiscus Cannabinus. In 2009, in Malaysia, the National Kenaf and
Tobacco Aboard (NKTB) was established to introduce kenaf as a potential new crop, wherein the
government allocated RM 35 million for the kenaf development project under the 9th Malaysia plan
economy. Reported reviews claimed that kenaf composites have superior mechanical strength and
thermal properties compared to other types of natural fiber composites, thus showing suitable
application for high-performance natural fiber composites (Mahjoub et al. 2014; Saba, Paridah,
and Jawaid 2015; Ying et al. 2014).
The global report of December 2015 on the natural fiber composites market mentioned that it was
forecasted to grow at 8.2% from 2015 to 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) (Chee
et al. 2017). Natural fiber composites have higher strength compared to wood composites and few
other plastics, which enhance their prospect to be used in the future (Nunna et al. 2012). The interest
in the proper utilization of natural fibers has increased significantly in parallel with carbon and glass
fibers. Despite the advantages possessed by natural fibers, there are a few disadvantages that limits
their applications, such as low mechanical properties, high moisture absorption tendency, poor
wettability, poor adhesion, and low thermal stability during processing. The mechanical character-
istics of natural fiber composites are mainly derived from the properties of fibers, such as the ratio of
fiber content, fiber types, orientation of fibers, selection of matrix, and the interfacial strength
reinforcement between fibers and the matrix. To modulate the mechanical properties of natural
fiber composites, we need to develop hybrid composites because they offer a range of advantages,
such as stiffness, ductility, and strength, better fracture toughness, and lower notch sensitivity, which
is quite difficult to obtain with a single type of reinforcement. The fabrication of hybrid composites
by using natural/natural fibers are less common as compared to natural/ synthetic fibers based
hybrid composites but nowadays due to environmental and cost effectiveness, its becomes potentially
materials for different applications. Several natural hybrid composites have been developed and the
purposes are mainly to improve mechanical resistance (Aji et al. 2011; Otto et al. 2017; Shahzad
2011). Mirbagheri et al. (2007) observed that there was an improvement in the tensile properties of
wood flour/kenaf-reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites. They also mentioned that increasing
the weight percentage of kenaf improved its properties. Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar (2011)
reported that hybridization on the bilayer of oil palm EFB and jute fibers-reinforced epoxy resin
enhanced the tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites by layering the pattern of
fibers. Padmaraj et al. (2016) revealed good mechanical characteristics with increase in the number
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 3

of layer mats of natural hybrid composites of banana fiber and areca leaf frond-reinforced epoxy
resins. Potluri et al. (2017) studied the natural hybrid composites of okra/kenaf and okra/banana-
reinforced epoxy resins. The concept of creating the inter-lamina hybrid composites enhances the
strength of the composite compared to single okra fiber composites. Venkateshwaran, Elayaperumal,
and Sathiya (2012), in their work on natural hybrid banana/sisal fibers composites, showed that the
formation of fiber hybrids greatly influences the tensile properties of the composites. Alavudeen et al.
(2015) investigated the mechanical properties of banana/kenaf fiber-reinforced hybrid polyester
composites. The study concluded that the mechanical strength increases due to the hybridization
of kenaf/banana fibers and also due to the better fiber–matrix adhesion existing in the hybrid
composites. Saw and Datta (2009) claimed that natural hybrid composites can be molded to provide
the composites industry with economic and biodegradable composites. Their study on jute/sugar-
cane bagasse fiber-reinforced epoxy resin hybrid composites showed that optimum mechanical
properties were reached when the ratio was 50:50. Samivel and Babu (2013) experimentally studied
the effect of hybridization of banana/kenaf fiber-reinforced polyester composites and showed that
hybridization has a significant effect on the mechanical properties compared to non-hybrid
composites.
Ashik and Sharma (2015) mention that utilization of natural fiber is increasing remarkably in
automotive industries day by day. In current work, they developed natural fibers bilayer hybrid
composites of oil palm EFB/kenaf fibers-reinforced epoxy resin composites. The explosive expansion
of oil palm plantation has generated enormous amounts of vegetable waste, creating problems in
replanting operations and tremendous environmental concerns. This research paper tries to explore
the potential utilization of abundant fibers in Malaysia such as oil palm EFB and kenaf fibers for use
in reinforced epoxy resin with the goal to obtain applications in automotive industries and the
development of more suitable cost-effective fabrication techniques. In this study, we developed oil
palm/kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy based bilayer hybrid composites using hand lay-up technique.
Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact properties were evaluated at different
weight ratios of kenaf and oil palm fibers. The fiber and matrix interfacial bonding of tensile fracture
samples of composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Experimental
Materials
Oil palm EFB mats were supplied by HK KitaranSdn. Bhd. (P. Pinang, Malaysia) and non-woven
kenaf fiber mats were supplied by ZKK Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor, Malaysia). The oil palm EFB mats and
non-woven kenaf fiber mats are shown in Figure 1. The physical and mechanical properties of oil
palm EFB and kenaf fiber are listed in Table 1. The liquid epoxy resin DER-331 used in this study is
based on epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A, and the curing agent was epoxy hardener joint amine
905-3s. Silicon spray was used as a release agent. Resin, curing agent, and silicon spray were
procured from Tazdiq Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia.

Fabrication of hybrid composites

In the fabrication process of bilayer hybrid composites, a stainless steel mold with dimension
300 mm × 300 mm × 5 mm was used by using a hand-lay-up technique for making the test
sample. Silicon spray was coated with a thin layer, which acts as a releasing agent. Epoxy resin
and hardener were uniformly mixed at a ratio of 2:1 for 15 min. Bilayer hybrid composites
were prepared by hybridizing oil palm EFB and kenaf fiber at different weight ratios of oil
palm EFB and kenaf fiber of 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4, with the total fiber loading at 50% by weight. Oil
palm EFB and kenaf fibers mat were stacked alternatively in the mold, and then the resin
matrix was poured. The composite was pressed with a hand roller to eliminate any entrapped
4 F. HANAN ET AL.

Figure 1. (a). Oil palm EFB mats. (b) Non-woven kenaf fiber mats.

Table 1. Physical and mechanical properties of oil palm EFB and kenaf fiber (Jawaid, Abdul
Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2011; Saba, Paridah, and Jawaid 2015).
Properties Oil palm fiber Kenaf fiber
Density (g/cm3) 0.7–1.55 0.6–1.5
Tensile strength (MPa) 50–400 223–930
Tensile modulus (GPa) 1–9 11–53
Elongation at break (%) 8–18 1.6–10
Cellulose content (%) 49.6 31–39
Lignin content (%) 21.2 12.1

air bubbles. The mold was closed for the curing process using a hot press machine and pre-
pressed for 5 min, and then compressed for 15 min at 120°C. The mold was compressed at a
constant pressure of 275 bars and the excess resin was squeezed out. Finally, the bilayer hybrid
composites were cooled in a cold press for 5 min under a constant pressure of 250 bars to
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 5

prevent warping of the hybrid composites. Single-oil palm EFB and kenaf fiber composites
were also prepared as control samples.

Characterizations
Tensile test (ASTM d 3039)
Tensile tests were performed using the universal testing machine, INSTRON 4201, with 100 kN
capacity load cell in accordance with the ASTM D 3039 standard. Five rectangular samples with
dimension 120 mm × 20 mm × 5 mm were cut by using a cutter machine. The gauge length was set
at 60 mm and the speed used was 5 mm/min.

Flexural test (ASTM d 790)

Flexural test was carried out by using the universal testing machine, INSTRON 4201, with 100 kN
capacity load cell and conducted according to the ASTM D 790 standard. Dimension for the test
samples was 120 mm × 20 mm × 5 mm and the cross-head speed was 5 mm/min.

Impact test (ASTM d 256)

Impact tests were conducted according to the ASTM D 256 standard using the Gotech GT-7045-MD
model. The izod method was carried out using notched samples with dimension 70 mm × 15 mm × 5 mm.
A minimum of five samples were tested.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Morphologies of the tensile fracture of oil palm EFB, kenaf, and bilayer hybrid composites were
analyzed by a JSM-400 scanning electron microscope. Morphological properties of the tensile
fracture samples were cut and sputter with gold thin layer to make surface conducting and well
viewing to their morphological observation.

Results and discussion

Tensile properties
ANOVA test for tensile modulus and strength into two components: a between-group (BG) and a
within-group-group components (WG) are shown in Table 2 and 3. The F-ratios, which in this case

Table 2. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for tensile modulus of five samples.
Source SS Df MS F-ratio p-value
BG 4227679 4 1056920 19.46 0.0000
WG 1086270 20 54314
BG: between group; WG: within group; SS: sum of square; Df: degree of freedom; MS: mean square; F: F-test for ANOVA; number of
observations: 25; number of samples: 5.

Table 3. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for tensile strength of five samples.
Source SS Df MS F-ratio p-value
BG 6307.2 4 1576.79 37.18 0.0000
WG 848.1 20 42.40
BG: between group; WG: within group; SS: sum of square; Df: degree of freedom; MS: mean square; F: F-test for ANOVA; number of
observations: 25; number of samples: 5.
6 F. HANAN ET AL.

for tensile modulus is equal to 19.46, while for the tensile strength it is equal to 37.18, are ratios of
the BG estimate to the WG estimate. Since the p-value of the F-test is less than 0.05, there are
statistically significant differences in the mean values between the tensile modulus and the tensile
strength parameter from one level of composites to the other at 95% confidence level. The tensile
strength and modulus of composites determined by both parameter with the greatest amount of
stress sample can withstand before failure occurred (Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2011).
Tensile strength and tensile modulus of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer
hybrid composites are presented in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. The ultimate strength of pure kenaf
composites (84.32 MPa) indicates the highest tensile strength, and this does not seem surprising as
kenaf fibers are stronger and stiffer than oil palm EFB fibers. Additionally, good bonding between
kenaf fibers and epoxy resin enhances the tensile strength of the composites. According to
Alavudeen et al. (2015), kenaf fibers are stronger and stiffer in the longitudinal direction, and this
could lead to the greater stress uptake and higher mechanical strength. Tensile strength and modulus
of oil palm EFB(4):Kenaf (1) hybrid composites were 51.21 MPa and 3118 MPa respectively exhibit
lowest value due to poor fiber and matrix interfacial bonding. Zuhri et al. (2010) and Kalam et al.
(2005) revealed that increasing oil palm EFB in epoxy polymer has a negative influence on tensile
strength and tensile modulus of oil palm EFB composite. Furthermore, it can be observed that the
weight fraction of kenaf increases in oil palm EFB composite, indicating increasing significant
increases of tensile strength and modulus. Similar cases with a few drawbacks were reported by
several other researchers (Potluri et al. 2017; Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2010, 2011; Jawaid
et al. 2013).

Figure 2. Tensile strength of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites.

Figure 3. Tensile modulus of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites.
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 7

The EFB (1):K (4) hybrid composite show the highest value of tensile strength (64.7 MPa) and
modulus (3640 MPa) as compared to other hybrid composites. The addition of kenaf fibers into oil
palm EFB composite enhanced the load-bearing capability of hybrid composites, and thus improved
the stiffness of the hybrid composite. Moreover, the strength of the hybrid system is greater than
pure oil palm EFB composites regardless of kenaf fiber’s location at the two surfaces or core for the
fabricated hybrid composites. Park and Jang (1999) highlighted that the stacking pattern of different
components in the hybrid laminate/bilayer composites plays an important role in the mechanical
properties of hybrid composites. In a hybrid system, tensile properties will be higher when a strong
material is used as the skin, which is the main load-bearing component. Hence, it can be concluded
that hybridization between oil palm EFB and kenaf fiber improves the tensile properties of the
hybrid composites. Poor adhesion of oil palm fiber and matrix could cause lower tensile strength and
modulus of the composites. Oil palm EFB requires reinforcing with other materials to achieve
optimum value. Besides that, probably the void and small gap formed cause incomplete wettability
between the fiber and the matrix during the fabrication of composites.

Flexural properties
ANOVA test for flexural modulus and strength into two components: a between-group (BG) and a
within-group components (WG) are shown in Table 4 and 5. The F-ratios, which in this case for
flexural modulus is equal to 34.37 and for the flexural strength is equal to 28.08, are ratios of the BG
estimate to the WG estimate. Since the p-value of the F-test is less than 0.05, there are statistically
significant differences in the mean values between the flexural modulus and the flexural strength

Table 4. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for flexural modulus of five samples.
Source SS Df MS F-ratio p-value
BG 88001890 4 22000473 34.37 0.0000
WG 12800594 20 640030
BG: between group; WG: within group; SS: sum of square; Df: degree of freedom; MS: mean square; F: F-test for ANOVA; number of
observations: 25; number of samples: 5.

Table 5. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for flexural strength of five samples.
Source SS Df MS F-ratio p-value
BG 11357 4 2839.0 28.08 0.0000
WG 2022 20 101.1
BG: between group; WG: within group; SS:, sum of square; Df: degree of freedom; MS: mean square; F: F-test for ANOVA; number
of observations: 25; number of samples: 5.

Figure 4. Flexural strength of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites.
8 F. HANAN ET AL.

Figure 5. Flexural modulus of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites.

parameter from one level of composite to another at 95% confidence level. The performance of
hybrid composites in flexural and flexural modulus is presented in Figures 4 and 5, respectively. The
lowest value of flexural strength and modulus was 55.68 MPa and 3557.92 MPa, respectively, for
pure oil palm EFB composites. Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar (2010) reported that oil palm
fiber is unable to withstand heavy load, which leads to the failure of fiber, resulting in the lower
flexural strength of pure oil palm EFB composites. Rozman et al. (2001) also reported with
increasing oil palm EFB in hybrid composites, the flexural properties decreased. Oil palm EFB fibers
display poor stress transmitted from the polymer matrix due to its structure and shape. Zuhri et al.
(2010) declared that flexural properties tended to decrease as the oil palm EFB content is increased.
As can seen in the graph in Figures 4 and 5, the hybrid composite of ratio EFB(1):K(1) exhibits the
highest flexural strength and modulus with values of 113.14 MPa and 7797.86 MPa, respectively.
Hybridizing of kenaf in the oil palm EFB composite clearly increased the flexural properties. As far
as the individual fiber is concerned, kenaf fiber had better flexural strength and modulus due to the
densified structure of kenaf fiber (Alavudeen et al. 2015). Shibata et al. (2005) reported that the
presence of high-strength kenaf fiber in polymer composites can offer high flexural strength. It also
reported by researchers that interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix also play an important role
to lead better or poor flexural properties of hybrid composites (Abdul Khalil et al. 2007). It may be
seen that the ratio of oil palm EFB (4):K(1) with values of 61.61 MPa and 3557.92 MPa for flexural
strength and modulus, respectively, shows the lowest value compared with other hybrid composites.
The ratio of oil palm EFB(1):K(4) hybrid composites with values of 85.56 MPa for flexural strength
and 6215.04 MPa for flexural modulus shows a slightly lower value compared to the highest value of
hybrid composites.

Impact properties
ANOVA test for impact into two components: a between-group (BG) and a within-group-group
components (WG) is shown in Table 6. Since the p-value of the F-test is less than 0.05, there is
statistically significant difference between the mean impacts from one level of composite to another
at 95% confidence level. Impact test was conducted on the energy absorption capability of hybrid
composites. The absorbed impact energy (J) is the total energy required to fracture the specimen

Table 6. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for impact of five samples.

Source SS Df MS F-ratio p-value
BG 157.454 4 39.3634 91.71 0.0000
WG 8.584 20 0.4292
BG: between group; WG: within group; SS: sum of square; Df: degree of freedom; MS: mean square; F: F-test for ANOVA; number of
observations: 25; number of samples: 5.
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 9

Figure 6. Impact strength of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites.

(Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2011). The results of impact strength of oil palm EFB/kenaf
fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid composites are shown in Figure 6. It can be clearly
observed that single composites, which are oil palm EFB (8.05 J) and kenaf composite (3.06 J), have a
greater impact strength rather than hybrid composites. Mishra and Biswa (2013) mention that the
increased impact strength may due to the fact that more energy will have to be used up to break the
coupling between the interlaced fiber bundles. According to the Hariharan and Khalil (2005), pure
oil palm EFB composite is subjected to a high speed impact load, the sudden transferred from the
matrix to the fiber exceeds the fiber strength hence resulting in the fracture of oil palm fibers at the
crack plane and need more energy to absorbed. A similar study by Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu
Bakar (2010) showed the pure oil palm EFB has the highest value rather than those composites. Oil
palm EFB fiber are comprised primarily of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Hence, the chemical
composition and the architecture of cell wall that gives oil palm composites higher impact properties
(Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2010). EFB (4):K(1), EFB(1):K(1), EFB(1):K(4) hybrid and
pure kenaf fiber composites display impact energy 2.32, 1.2, 1.7, and 3.06 respectively.

SEM
SEM was used to study the tensile fracture sample of hybrid and pure composites. The fabric–matrix
adhesion in the composites can be further understood by examining the micrograph of fracture
surfaces of the tensile test specimens. The fiber–matrix interface plays an important role in the
composites’ properties. A good interfacial bond is required for effective stress transfer from the
matrix to the fiber, whereby maximum utilization of the fiber strength in the composite is achieved
(Jawaid, Abdul Khalil, and Abu Bakar 2011). Figure 7 shows the scanning electron micrograph of
tensile fracture of a) pure EFB and b) pure kenaf of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based
bilayer hybrid composites. Fiber matrix debonding, closely packed fiber–matrix interface, and
interfacial gap are more clearly seen in the (a) micrograph, which is pure oil palm EFB composites,
indicating the lowest tensile strength and modulus. It is also observed that oil palm EFB exhibits
fibers pullout and cracks in the epoxy resin, thus leading to poor interfacial bonding between the
fiber and the matrix. Pure kenaf fiber composite shows a more densified and compact structure in
(b); thus, the tensile properties of kenaf fiber composite are higher than that of oil palm EFB
composites. Figure 8 presents the scanning electron micrograph of the tensile fracture of ratios (a)
EFB(1):K(4), (b) EFB(1):K(1), and (c) EFB(1):K(4) of oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-
based bilayer hybrid composites. The appearance of transverse cross-section of the fiber end reflects
the lack of fiber pullout and ensures enhanced interfacial adhesion. The addition of kenaf fiber into
oil palm EFB composites reduced fiber pullout and fiber protruding from the surface, which are
10 F. HANAN ET AL.

Figure 7. (a). Scanning electron micrograph of tensile fracture of pure EFB composite. (b) Scanning electron micrograph of tensile
fracture of pure kenaf composite.

clearly seen in (b) and (c) hybrid composites. Furthermore, at some places, especially in (a) hybrid
composite, there are broken fibers and holes in the matrix.

Conclusion
Hybrid composites are unique like a unique material which did not exist in nature and weighed
sum of the individual components. The material used is epoxy resin, which acts as a matrix
constituent with the primary reinforcement as oil palm EFB and secondary reinforcement as
kenaf fiber. In this paper, oil palm EFB/kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy-based bilayer hybrid
composites were successfully developed and their mechanical properties were investigated.
Based on the results, hybridization of kenaf fiber reinforced into oil palm EFB composites
increased the tensile and flexural properties. Increasing the weight fraction of kenaf into oil
palm EFB composites shows an improvement in the tensile and flexural properties, as is evident
from the SEM study, which indicates good interfacial bonding between the fiber and the matrix.
Kenaf fibers can withstand a higher load during the transferring of load, thus leading to greater
tensile and flexural properties. Impact properties clearly shown that pure oil palm EFB compo-
sites absorb more energy during impact load as compared to other composites due to interlaced
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 11

Figure 8. (a). Scanning electron micrograph of tensile fracture of EFB:K (1:4) hybrid composite. (b) Scanning electron micrograph of
tensile fracture of EFB:K (1:1) hybrid composite. (c) Scanning electron micrograph of tensile fracture of EFB:K (4:1) hybrid composite.

fiber bundles of oil palm EFB fiber. The potential of this new hybrid composite is to compete
with synthetic composites if it is properly designed. The automotive sector especially has been
identified as a future industry that might use oil palm-based hybrid composites.
12 F. HANAN ET AL.

Funding
The authors extend their gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education for providing HICOE Grant No: 6369108 to
INTROP, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for supporting this research work.

ORCID
Mohammad Jawaid http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5348-5740

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