Techniques for Preparing Random and Unidirectional Preform for Coconut Fibers Reinforced Composite

Abstract

The preform production is of virtual importance for the manufacturing fiberreinforced composites. The distribution and orientation of the individual fibers in the preform significantly affect the mechanical properties of the later composites. This paper presents the techniques for preparing random (non-oriented) and unidirectional (UD) preforms for coconut fiber-reinforced composites. The experimental results confirm that the length and the state (wet or dry) of coconut fibers in the random (nonoriented) preforms affects the mechanical properties of random coconut fiberreinforced composites. The effects of techniques of random preform preparation on the mechanical properties of composites were investigated for various fiber volume fraction. It was found that the preforms prepared from wet coconut fibers show higher and more stable properties. On the other hand, the research also presents a technique to prepare straight coconut fibers for UD preform production. Several parameters such as composite processing method, experimental conditions of chemical treatment were examined for UD preform based composites.