An experimental comparative study of the mechanical properties of synthetic carbon/glass fiber composites and natural palm fibers for automotive hood applications

Marwah Ali; Ansam Mohammed; Shylesha Channapattana

doi:10.65115/wg2saz27

Articles

An experimental comparative study of the mechanical properties of synthetic carbon/glass fiber composites and natural palm fibers for automotive hood applications

Marwah Abdulazeem Ali, Ansam A. Mohammed , Shylesha Channapattana

Published2026-06-30

Pages35-48

SectionArticles

LanguageEnglish

Downloads6

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.65115/wg2saz27

Abstract

There is an increased interest in natural fiber composite materials as alternatives for metals in the manufacture of automotive hoods in the automotive industry. This study aims to experimentally investigate the mechanical properties of hybrid composites of synthetic fibers carbon/glass and natural palm fibers in a polyester matrix. Composites were manufactured by the vacuum-assisted layering process, including carbon/glass hybrid laminates 45 wt. % fibers, palm fiber laminates 30 wt. % fibers with unsaturated polyester resin under ambient conditions in 24 hours. Test results revealed that carbon/glass hybrid composites had excellent mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength 274 MPa and impact energy absorption capability 1.25-2.1 J, contrary to poor mechanical strength and energy absorption capabilities of palm fiber composite tensile strength 47 MPa; 0.25-0.44 J. Flexural test confirmed the better mechanical resistance in bending of the hybrid synthetic composite, resisting up to 9 kN load before failure, while the palm fiber composite failed at a load of 1.58 kN due to brittleness of its structure and weak interaction with the polyester matrix. Despite having great benefits for the environment, due to mechanical weaknesses, further fiber treatment may be required to improve natural fiber material performance.

Keywords Carbon -glass fiber tensile test Impact test palm fiber stress rate

References

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A. A. Mohammed, T. A. Abdullah, H. S. S. Aljibori, M. N. Mohammed, and O. I. Abdullah, "Effect of nanoparticles flow to improve the oil refineries wastewater," International Review of Mechanical Engineering (I.R.E.M.E), vol. 18, no. 7, 2024.
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Author Biography

Shylesha Channapattana

Competing interests

Marwah Abdulazeem Ali

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Ansam A. Mohammed

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Shylesha Channapattana

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How to cite

Ali, M., Mohammed, A., & Channapattana, S. (2026). An experimental comparative study of the mechanical properties of synthetic carbon/glass fiber composites and natural palm fibers for automotive hood applications. Samarra Journal of Engineering Science and Research, 4(2), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.65115/wg2saz27

BibTeX RIS EndNote

Usage statistics

[1] N. T. Tuli, S. Khatun, and A. B. Rashid, "Unlocking the future of precision manufacturing: A comprehensive exploration of 3D printing with fiber-reinforced composites in aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer industries," Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 5, 2024.

[2] A. A. Mohammed, T. A. Abdullah, H. S. S. Aljibori, M. N. Mohammed, and O. I. Abdullah, "Effect of nanoparticles flow to improve the oil refineries wastewater," International Review of Mechanical Engineering (I.R.E.M.E), vol. 18, no. 7, 2024.

[3] X. Huang, S. Su, Z. Xu, Q. Miao, W. Li, and L. Wang, "Advanced composite materials for structure strengthening and resilience improvement," Buildings, vol. 13, no. 10, p. 2406, 2023

[4] A. A. Mohammed, A. A. Mohammed, and S. Channapattana, "Numerical study of convection air currents around a hot cylinder inside a triangular cavity," Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 102–115, 2023.

[5] Elfaleh, F. Abbassi, M. Habibi, F. Ahmad, M. Guedri, M. Nasri, and C. Garnier, "A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials," Results in Engineering, vol. 19, Art. no. 101271,2023

[6] S. A. A. Allah, A. I. Al-Mosawi, and A. A. Al-Jeebory, "Effect of percentage of fibers reinforcement on thermal and mechanical properties for polymeric composite material," The Iraqi Journal for Mechanical and Material Engineering, Special Issue (A), pp. 17–18, May 2009.

[7] V. Dwivedi, P. Mandla, D. Gupta, R. Chandel, and A. Sharma, "Simulation of tensile behaviour of carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite," Materials Today: Proceedings, 2023.

[8] T. Islam, M. M. Hossain, and S. M. Covington, "Natural fibers towards fashion sustainability: A review of raw materials, production, application, and perspective," Journal of Natural Fibers, vol. 22, no. 1, Art. no. 2462218, 2025.

[9] M. Z. Rahman, "Mechanical performance of natural/natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials using finite element method based micromechanics and experiments," M.S. thesis, Utah State University, 2017.

[10] S. Saha, S. Das, and M. Z. Rahman, "Hybridization in natural fiber composites: enhanced performance and sustainability," Composites Part B: Engineering, Art. no. 112986. 2025.

[11] H. Khatri, J. Naveen, M. Jawaid, K. Jayakrishna, M. N. F. Norrrahim, and A. Rashedi, "Potential of natural fiber based polymeric composites for cleaner automotive component production - a comprehensive review," Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 25, pp. 1086–1104, 2023.

[12] W. Zhang and J. Xu, "Advanced lightweight materials for automobiles: A review," Materials & Design, vol. 221, Art. no. 110994, 2022

[13] I. D. Ibrahim, "Improvement of mechanical and wear behaviour of fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites for the rail industry," Hybrid Advances, vol. 10, Art. no. 100457. 2025.

[14] A. A. Mohammed and A. M. Salman, "Characteristics of flow-induced vibration of conveying pipes for water and coolant flow," Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, vol. 106, no. 2, pp. 177–193, 2023.

[15] A. A. Mohammed, A. M. Salman, and M. S. Ayoub, "Flow induced vibration for different support pipe and liquids: A review," Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 83–95, 2023.

[16] H. M. Salman and A. A. Mohammed, "Experimental investigation for the flow induced vibration for pipe inside water," Al-Nahrain Journal for Engineering Sciences, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 61–67, 2020.

[17] H. S. Ward and N. H. Mostafa, "Tensile and impact properties of woven glass fibers/epoxy composites filled with short glass fibers," Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 637–644, 2024.

[18] A. Kassid, H. R. Hommadi, K. M. Thajeel, and A. M. H. A. Majeed, "Using of carbon fibers in strengthening polymer concrete," Iraqi Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 5, no. 2, 2014.

[19] A. Atmakuri, A. Palevicius, A. Vilkauskas, and G. Janusas, "Numerical and experimental analysis of mechanical properties of natural-fiber-reinforced hybrid polymer composites and the effect on matrix material," Polymers, vol. 14, no. 13, p. 2612, 2022.

[20] H. T. Sreenivas, N. Krishnamurthy, and G. R. Arpitha, "A comprehensive review on light weight kenaf fiber for automobiles," International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 328–337, 2020.

[21] I. U. Bhuiyan, M. I. H. Rimon, M. Mashuk, A. Y. Siddiky, M. T. Rayhan, and M. H. Mobarak, "Flexural and compressive properties of hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with woven jute, betelnut husk, and date seed granules," Hybrid Advances, Art. no. 100617, 2026

[22] A. B. Rashid, M. Haque, S. M. M. Islam, and K. M. R. U. Labib, "Nanotechnology-enhanced fiber-reinforced polymer composites: Recent advancements on processing techniques and applications," Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 2, 2024.

[23] H. Sharma, A. Kumar, S. Rana, N. G. Sahoo, M. Jamil, R. Kumar, et al., "Critical review on advancements on the fiber-reinforced composites: Role of fiber/matrix modification on the performance of the fibrous composites," Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 26, pp. 2975–3002, 2023.

[24] T. Islam, M. M. Hossain, and S. Covington, "Natural fibers towards fashion sustainability: A review of raw materials, production, application, and perspective," Journal of Natural Fibers, vol. 22, no. 1, Art. no. 2462218, 2025. [25] U. S. Camli and B. Binici, "Strength of carbon fiber reinforced polymers bonded to concrete and masonry," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 1431–1446, 2007.