Analysis of the tensile strength of polyester/hybrid ramie-cotton fabric composites

Plain weave hybrid ramie-cotton fabrics were used as reinforcement in polyester matrix composites. The tensile strength of the composites was determined as a function of the volume fraction and orientation of the ramie fibers. Composites were tensile tested with ramie fibers oriented parallel, (0), to the tensile axis and with various stacking sequence configurations (0/90). The results obtained showed that the main parameter governing the tensile properties of the composites was the ramie volume fraction parallel to the direction of the tensile axis. The contribution of the cotton fibers was shown to be minimal. Indeed, the results obtained for the tensile strength of the (0) composites were shown to follow a common rule of mixtures law, disregarding the contribution of the cotton fibers. Values of tensile strength of up to 338% greater than that of the matrix were obtained which shows the potential of the ramie fiber as reinforcement in lignocellulosic fiber composites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.