Coir hybrid composite research | Md. Aslam Beg Akash

Manuscript in Preparation

Target Journal: SPE Polymers · Planned Submission: November 2026

This study examines how different coir-powder loadings influence the mechanical, thermal, and water-uptake behavior of kenaf–(carbon/Kevlar)–kenaf hybrid epoxy laminates. Coir acts as a particulate filler in the epoxy matrix, while kenaf forms the outer reinforcing layers around a carbon/Kevlar core.

Experimental overview

Tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and thermal conductivity testing, and composite specimens. — Figure 1. Experimental overview: (a) tensile, (b) flexural, (c) impact, (d) hardness, (e) thermal conductivity testing and (f) specimens.

Research results

Representative tensile and flexural curves, impact, hardness, thermal conductivity, water uptake, FTIR and TGA/DSC results. — Representative results.

Tensile response. — Representative results.

Findings

At 2 wt% coir, tensile and flexural strengths increased by 26.9% and 52.5% relative to the unfilled laminate. Higher filler loading increased hardness and water uptake, while the mechanical gains declined. FTIR and TGA/DSC provided complementary chemical and thermal characterization.

My contribution

Md. Aslam Beg Akash: Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing.