LAUSR

ABSTRACT Roselle fibre- and coconut shell powder (CSP)-reinforced vinyl ester composite was studied for analyzing the tensile properties. The fibre particle-reinforced vinyl ester composite (FPRV) specimens were fabricated using hand lay-up technique. It was observed that tensile properties of vinyl ester composite increase upon reinforcement with roselle fibres and CSP particle. The reinforcement of roselle fibres shows a significant effect on the tensile strength and modulus of the composite. The fractographic study was carried out on the surface of fractured composite specimens using scanning electron microscopy. A better interfacial adhesion, fibre dispersion and less fibre pull out on the surface of fractured composite specimens were identified. The tensile strength of FPRV composite has also been statistically analyzed by two-parameter Weibull distribution. Twenty-seven tension tests were carried out. The results obtained vary between 32.11 and 40.12 MPa. Furthermore, the inspection of the developed distribution was examined by Kolmogorov test. The results show that the gained two-parameter Weibull distribution can be used to express the tensile strength and predict its values accurately.