Mechanical Behaviour Analysis for Banana/Coir Natural Fiber Hybrid Epoxy Composites Through Experimental Modelling

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical properties of banana/coir natural fibers reinforced epoxy composites. Additionally, the study aims to optimize the composite manufacturing process parameters to maximize the properties of these composites. Hybrid epoxy composite laminates were manufactured using the compression moulding technique. Fiber proposition, fiber length, and volume fraction of fiber-matrix were the process parameters considered and the experimental modelling was done using Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array (OA) design. The optimal process parameters were determined response table and the influence of process parameters was determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). From the optimization results, the composites with 65:35 fiber/matrix volume proportion, 10 mm fiber length, and 75:25 banana/coir proportion were found to possess better tensile, compressive, impact and flexural properties relatively. Surface morphology of the composites with optimal parameters depicted that the interaction of chemically treated banana and coir fibers with the epoxy matrix was good and the hybrid composite surface exhibited better compatibility. These composites find their applications in various automobile, marine, and aerospace components carrying low and medium loads. © The Polymer Society, Taipei 2024.