This study aims to investigate the void content, tensile, vibration and acoustic properties of kenaf/bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. The composites were made using the hand lay-up method. The weight ratios of kenaf/bamboo were 30:70, 50:50 and 70:30. Further, kenaf and bamboo composites were fabricated for the purpose of comparison. The hybridization of woven kenaf/bamboo reduced the void content. The void contents of hybrid composites were almost similar. An enhancement in elongation at break, tensile strength and modulus of hybrid composites was observed until a kenaf/bamboo ratio of 50:50. Kenaf/bamboo (50:50) hybrid composite displays the highest elongation at break, tensile strength and modulus compared to the other hybrid composites which are 2.42 mm, 55.18 MPa and 5.15 GPa, respectively. On the other hand, the highest natural frequency and damping factors were observed for Bamboo/Kenaf (30:70) hybrid composites. The sound absorption coefficient of composites were measured in two conditions: without air gap and with air gap (10, 20, 30 mm). The sound absorption coefficient for testing without air gap was less than 0.5. Introducing an air gap improved the sound absorption coefficient of all composites. Hence, hybrid kenaf/bamboo composites exhibited less void content, as well as improved tensile, vibration and acoustic properties.

The demand for eco-friendly materials in many sectors is due to the age-long usage of synthetic materials, which has so many negative impacts on the environment, high energy consumption, and health concerns. The physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of woven kenaf fibre reinforced bio-epoxy composites are investigated in this study. The bio-composites were produced utilizing a manual lay-up process with varying fibre loading percentages of 30%, 35%, and 40%. Pure Bio-epoxy composites were also prepared as a reference. Physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal characteristics were assessed. The density and water absorption of the bio-composites increase as the fibre loading increased. The highest density (1.2559 g/cm³) was shown by 40% fibre loading which also exhibited the highest water absorption of 9.8%. Furthermore, the void content revealed that the pure bio-epoxy has the highest value of 3.16% as compared to kenaf/bio-epoxy composites. The highest tensile strength and Young’s modulus was recorded by 40% fibre loading with 92.47 MPa and 9.18 GPa respectively. Impact properties also show enhancement with the increase in fibre loading, it showed the highest impact strength of 7280.8 J/m² at 40% fibre loading. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the tensile fracture indicates that 40% fibre loading shows better fibre and bio-epoxy inter facial bonding because of its higher strength. The Initial decomposition temperature (IDT) of the bio-composites happens at about 230°C–280°C, and the Final decomposition temperature (FDT) is 540°C–560°C which is lower when compared to the pure bio-epoxy composites of 279°C and 560°C. Kenaf/bio-epoxy composites with 40% fibre loading show the best physical and mechanical and thermal properties. Based on our findings, we believe that our green bio-composites has the potential to be employed in various industries such as automobiles, construction and packaging.