Improving Mechanical Properties For Kenaf On Aircraft Cabin Panels

Abstract

Composite material are ideal for structural applications where high strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratios are required. Aircraft and spacecraft are typically weight sensitive structure, in which composite material can be cost effective. Current composite material using high strength fibers such as glass fiber, carbon and aramid are commonly used in aerospace structures. However, nowadays the developments of eco-friendly technologies become more focus from year by year. The need for biodegradable materials has prompted the usage of natural fibers. Natural fibers have comparable mechanical properties such as low weight, low cost, renewable and biodegradable. Vacuum bagging was used for panel fabrication. The vacuum bag technique involves the placing and sealing of a flexible bag over a composite layup and evacuating all the air from under the bag. In this project, the sample of kenaf was tested by three point bending machine and result is directly from the machine application. Lastly, result of kenaf will be compare to the original panel part of aircraft in terms of weight, strength, impact energy, and all comparison that related to aircraft panel requirements. This new design concept is going to be something which most of the people will be thinking, “Is it possible that kenaf can be another alternative for aircraft cabin panels?”