V Daghigh - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kashan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kashan, Iran,Department of Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University, USA
M.R Ebrahimian - Faculty member, Parsian Institute of Higher Education, Ghazvin, Iran
H Daghigh - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kashan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kashan, Iran
J Ghorbani - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

In this study, the strain rate effect on the bending properties of fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) reinforced ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites was studied. The flexural three-point bending test was used as the testing method. Infusion moulded method was utilized to fabricate standard specimens. Flexural tests have been conducted at low range of strain rates included 2.5 mm/min, 5 mm/min, and 7.5 mm/min. Experimental results showed that the strain rate has a significant effect on the material response in bending. Results showed the ultimate flexural strength of the latania natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composites increases by increasing the strain rate. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the fracture morphologies.

Bending, strain rate, natural fiber, PP/EPDM composite