Tensile and Flexural Properties of Woven Micro-Braided Yarn Composite

Due to low cost, easy to process, non-corrosive, recyclability and light weight, thermoplastic polymer composite is preferred especially in automotive, household equipment, and sport industry. However, the molten viscosity of thermoplastic resin is extremely high compared to that of thermoset resin, making it difficult to impregnate into fiber bundles. This problem is especially true for fabric composite such as woven, knitted or braided fabric. To solve this problem, a woven micro-braided yarn (MBY) composite was prepared. The objective of this project was to determine the tensile and flexural properties of woven MBY composite. Polypropylene (PP) fiber was employed as matrix while kenaf fiber was employed as matrix was used as reinforcement. MBY was prepared manually using Kumihimo disk. Kenaf fiber was used as inserted axil yarn where PP fiber would be braided around it. The MBY then underwent manual weaving process to produce fabric composite. Compression molding was employed to prepare the specimens. Tensile strength and modulus of woven MBY improved approximately 44% and 125% respectively, compared to neat PP. However, adverse effect was observed for both flexural strength and modulus of woven MBY.