Performance evaluation of epoxy composites reinforced with three different sizes of banana fiber

Abstract

In the present research work the suitability of banana fibers as reinforcing agent in three different sizes namely short fiber, macro and micro particle for epoxy matrix composite material was observed. The epoxy composites with the micro particle, macro particle and short fiber were prepared by compression moulding technique. Composite specimens were characterized by the mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact. The water absorption characteristics of the macro particle reinforced epoxy composites are studied. The machining characteristics of the micro particle, macro particle and short fiber composites are also evaluated. The mechanical properties of epoxy composite reinforced with the micro particles made from the banana fiber were evaluated based on the particle loading and their results were concluded here. Composite with the particle loading of 35wt% shows the highest tensile and flexural properties when compared to the other particle loading composites. The impact results show that the addition of micro particles has not influenced the impact strength of epoxy composite. Moreover, the presence of voids, location of de-bonding of the particle from the matrix, and matrix cracks, etc. were identified through the analysis of SEM. The epoxy composites reinforced with the macro particle are prepared with three different wt% in compression moulding machine. The tensile strength increases with an increase in the ratio of macro particle wt%. The composite of 35wt% is superior in flexural properties. The impact strength of the composite with 35wt% has a highest value of 0.32 J because it absorbs more energy than composite of 25wt% and 30wt%. The comparative investigation on mechanical properties of short fiber, macro particle and micro particle reinforced epoxy composites were studied. The short fiber-reinforced epoxy composites show the greater values of tensile strength as compared to the other composites. newline