Impact Damage Resistance and Post-Impact Tolerance of Optimum Banana-Pseudo-Stem-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Sandwich Structures

Mohamad Zaki Hassan,Ariff Farhan Mohd Nor,Mohd Yusof Md Daud,S M Sapuan,Zainudin A Rasid,Rozzeta Dolah

doi:10.3390/app10020684

Mohamad Zaki Hassan, Ariff Farhan Mohd Nor + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020684

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Abstract

Banana fiber has a high potential for use in fiber composite structures due to its promise as a polymer reinforcement. However, it has poor bonding characteristics with the matrixes due to hydrophobic–hydrophilic incompatibility, inconsistency in blending weight ratio, and fiber length instability. In this study, the optimal conditions for a banana/epoxy composite as determined previously were used to fabricate a sandwich structure where carbon/Kevlar twill plies acted as the skins. The structure was evaluated based on two experimental tests: low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests. Here, the synthetic fiber including Kevlar, carbon, and glass sandwich structures were also tested for comparison purposes. In general, the results showed a low peak load and larger damage area in the optimal banana/epoxy structures. The impact damage area, as characterized by the dye penetration, increased with increasing impact energy. The optimal banana composite and synthetic fiber systems were proven to offer a similar residual strength and normalized strength when higher impact energies were applied. Delamination and fracture behavior were dominant in the optimal banana structures subjected to CAI testing. Finally, optimization of the compounding parameters of the optimal banana fibers improved the impact and CAI properties of the structure, making them comparable to those of synthetic sandwich composites.

Highlights

The research interest into utilizing natural fibers as reinforcement in polymers has dramatically increased during the last decade
The optimized banana-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were laminated with carbon/Kevlar twill woven skins to form banana epoxy sandwich structures. This current study focused on the low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) response of these structures
It can be seen that the maximum stress and tensile modulus of the optimal banana fiber reinforced epoxy composite were increased by 66% and 22%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy resin

Summary

Introduction

The research interest into utilizing natural fibers as reinforcement in polymers has dramatically increased during the last decade. It has been claimed that they can replace their synthetic polymer counterparts Natural fibers, such as banana, kenaf, sugar palm, pineapple leaf, and empty fruit bunch, are abundantly available in tropical countries, especially in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. Among the natural fiber composites, banana has attracted significant interest since it is biodegradable, not a health hazard, of low abrasivity, cheap, and offers good sound absorption capabilities. It belongs to a subclass of monocotyledonous herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa.

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