Fabrication and Performance Assessment of Sisal–Glass Fibre- Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Hybrid Composites for Automotive Side-Body Panels

Samuel  Tesfaye Molla; Assefa  Asmare Tsegaw; Teshome  Mulatie Bogale; Addisu  Negash Ali; Asmamaw  Tegegne Abebe

doi:10.20372/tvet-ftveti-v2i2.90

Authors

Samuel Tesfaye Molla Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Bahir Dar University,
Assefa Asmare Tsegaw Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Bahir Dar University
Teshome Mulatie Bogale Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Bahir Dar University
Addisu Negash Ali Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Bahir Dar University
Asmamaw Tegegne Abebe Department of Manufacturing Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Technology, FDRE Technical and Vocational Training Institute,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20372/tvet-ftveti-v2i2.90

Keywords:

Fabricaion, Sisal–glass fibers, HDPE, Adhesive bonding, Characterization Automobile Panels.

Abstract

Increasing demand for lightweight, sustainable materials in the automotive sector has encouraged the creation of hybrid composites that combine natural and synthetic fibers. This study examined the production and mechanical performance of hybrid sisal–glass reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites intended for automobile side body panels. Using compression molding, composites were fabricated with different fiber-tomatrix weight ratios (S15G15H70, S5G25H70, S10G20H70, S20G10H70,
and S25G5H70) and varied stacking sequences to enhance performance. Mechanical testing included tensile, flexural, and impact assessments, alongside morphological and environmental analyses. Adhesively bonded single-side strap joints (ABSSSJ) were also evaluated to determine steel-tocomposite bonding strength, taking into account adhesive thickness, overlap length, width, and fracture toughness. The results showed that the S15G15H70 fiber ratio and the [Sisal–Glass–Glass] stacking arrangement notably enhanced both mechanical strength and adhesive bonding. These findings indicate that the hybrid composite has potential as a lightweight, high-strength, and sustainable material for automotive structural components, especially automobile side body panels.