Effect of Fiber Volume Ratio on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract

Natural fibers from renewable resources have emerged as promising reinforcing materials for the fabrication of composite materials. This study investigates the effect of fiber volume ratio on the mechanical and physical properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites, while keeping fiber length and orientation constant. Composite samples were fabricated using hemp, coconut, and jute fibers as reinforcement and phenol-formaldehyde as the adhesive matrix. Four samples (S1, S2, S3, and S4) were prepared with fiber volume ratios of 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%, respectively, while maintaining a uniform fiber length of 12 mm and a sample thickness of 5 mm. The fibers were randomly oriented in all samples.

The results revealed significant variations in the properties of the composites based on fiber volume ratio. The composite with a 40% fiber ratio exhibited maximum density and minimal water absorption during both 2-hour and 24-hour tests. It also demonstrated the lowest moisture content among all samples. In contrast, the 60% fiber ratio composite showed the highest water absorption and moisture content. Dimensional stability tests indicated that the 30% fiber ratio composite experienced minimal expansion in length, width, and thickness, while the 60% fiber ratio composite exhibited the highest expansion. Mechanical testing revealed that the modulus of elasticity peaked at a 50% fiber ratio, whereas the modulus of rupture was highest at a 60% fiber ratio.

This study highlights the critical role of fiber volume ratio in determining the mechanical and physical properties of natural fiber composites. The findings suggest that optimizing fiber content can significantly enhance composite performance, making natural fiber composites a viable alternative to traditional materials in various applications.

Cite as:

Ashutosh Mishra, & Vikash Dwivedi. (2025). Effect of Fiber Volume Ratio on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites. Journal of Research and Review in Fluid Mechanics, 1(2), 7–19. 

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16308254