Novel hybrid natural fibre composite material with enhanced strength

A new study using a facile optimization approach developed by a multidisciplinary international team of researchers, led by Professor Shukur Abu Hassan, offers new insights about how the load-uptake capacity in a novel hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composite materials can be enhanced. Professor Shukur is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Professor Shukur revealed that the hybrid composite material comprised both carbon fibers and ramie fibers (a natural material derived from agricultural waste) blended in epoxy. Professor Shukur pointed out that a systematic approach to designing the experiment to account for the effects of two key factors, namely fiber stacking and orientation, on the mechanical response of the carbon/ramie fiber epoxy composites, has resulted in a profound revelation on how the energy absorption mechanism of the composite plays an important in providing for resilience and fracture toughness at the different length scales.

For further details, please contact Professor Shukur at [email protected], or Dr K L Goh at [email protected]