Hand lay-up method was adopted to fabricate laminates of
Kevlar 129 and kenaf in epoxy resin. The specimen consists of
six layers of Kevlar with the kenaf fibres in the middle as shown
in Fig. 1. Kenaf and Kevlar fabric were hand lay-up with the
epoxy matrix by mixing epoxy resin (DER 331) and amine
hardener in the ratio of 2:1. Two thick mild steel plates are used
as a mould (20 × 20 cm) in the fabrication process. All the
mould surfaces were sprayed with a mould release agent to
prevent adhesion of composites to the mould after curing and
also to ensure smooth sample surface. Composites were cured
by applying compression pressure using dead weights on the
top of the mould and cured at room temperature for 24 hours.
The specimens were also post-cured at 70 °C for 2 hours after
removing from the mould. The composition of hybrid composites
is shown in Table 1