1 - The effect of different fiber loading on flexural and thermal properties of banana/pineapple leaf (PALF)/glass hybrid composite

Abstract

Manufacturing of high-performance materials from renewable resources has been the aim for various researchers from across the world. Whilst natural fibers have good properties such as renewable, cost-effective, and low abrasion, there are some setbacks that required hybridization with synthetic materials. The mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposite of banana-pineapple leaf (PALF)-glass woven fiber-reinforced epoxy resin was investigated in relation to different fiber volume fraction. Three-point flexural tests were carried out on specimens with different fiber volume fraction (30%, 40%, 50% in weight), indicating highest strength at 40wt% for both banana and PALF samples. Image analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) conducted to observe the surface morphology at the failure point due to flexural loading showed increase in fiber packing at higher fiber loading. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were conducted to analyze thermal stability of composite samples. TGA test suggested that 40wt% offered optimum on set degradation temperature for both banana-glass and PALF-glass hybrid composite. DMA analysis showed a shift in the Tg for banana-glass hybrid composite, from 30 to 40wt%, indicating optimum condition that contributed to molecular structure stability of the composite sample. The effect of hybridization between synthetic and natural fiber onto flexural properties was determined, and the optimum fiber volume fraction was obtained at 40% for both banana and PALF composites.