Effect of loading nano-clay on banana fibers infused epoxy composite wear rate thermal property and water absorption properties

Abstract

The influence of loading nanoclay on dynamic thermal analysis (DMA), water absorption, and wear rate of banana fiber-reinforced epoxy biocomposite has been investigated. Nano-clay ranging from 1 to 5 wt% and 40 wt% banana fiber-filled composite was prepared using infusion techniques. It was observed that the addition of nano-clay improves tribological properties and temperature dependence storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ of banana fiber-filled composite. Incorporating nano-clay increased the temperature-dependence storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ of banana fiber-filled epoxy biocomposite (BFC) by 90 %. The loading of 1% nanoclay reduced banana fiber reinforced epoxy biocomposite water absorption by 69%. An improvement in the wear resistance of banana-filled epoxy biocomposite was observed with a corresponding increase in nano-clay loading, and 3 wt% nano-clay (NC) loading offered 80% resistance to abrasion. The excellent matrix/nano-clay/banana fiber adhesion, inherent thermal property and hydrophobic nature of nanoclay, and the stress distribution capacity of banana fiber within the biocomposites can be attributed to improved dynamic mechanical analysis and water absorption rate and abrasion properties observed.