Mechanical characterization of banana-nylon fibre reinforced Vinyl ester composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hand lay-up was used to create banana and nylon Fibre-reinforced vinyl ester (VE) composites with random orientation of the short fibre ratio (banana:nylon = 1:1). To make it environmentally conscious, natural fibre (banana) was added in synthetic fibre (nylon). After fabrication, different mechanical testing was conducted. Tensile strength improves by 47% at 10 wt. % fibre loading and 13% at 20 wt.% fibre loading. Flexural strength improved by up to 213% at 15 wt. % fibre loading. At 20 wt. % fibre loading, the mean hardness number reaches its maximum. The mean impact energy is highest at 15 wt. % fibre loading. Furthermore, the highest water absorption is 2.3% with a fibre loading of 20 wt.%. After 15 wt.% fibre loading, which is suggested for optimal performance, the manufactured composites exhibit a declining trend in tensile, flexural, and impact capabilities. As a result, scanning electron micrographs were collected at 20 wt.% fibre loading to investigate the type of fibre-matrix bonding, voids, fibre agglomeration, and fibre pullouts phenomena. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was also explored to show a decline in hemicelluloses content. As-fabricated composites have several technological uses, including leisure and sports products, maritime sectors, and airplanes.