Abstract
Banana fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites with different fiber lengths and fiber loadings were prepared by compression molding (CM) and resin transfer molding (RTM) techniques. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact behavior were studied. RTM composites showed improved tensile and flexural properties as compared to CM composites. On the other hand, impact strength of RTM composites is slightly lower than that of CM composites. From the studies, it was found that mechanical properties increased with the increase in fiber loading, reached a plateau at 30–40 wt%, and then subsequently decreased with an increase in fiber loading in both techniques. At high fiber weight fractions, the strength decreased due to poor wetting and very poor stress transfer. The stress value increased up to 30 mm fiber lengths and then decreased. In order to examine the fracture surface morphology of the composites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on the composite samples. A good relationship between morphological and mechanical properties has been observed. Finally, tensile strength of the composites fabricated by RTM and CM was compared with theoretical predictions.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been a tremendous interest in the usage of plant fibers as reinforcement in polymer matrices for the manufacture of automobile components [1,2,3,4,5,6]
We have examined the effectiveness of various natural fibers like banana, oil palm empty fruit bunch, sisal fiber, and so forth as potential reinforcing agents in various polymeric matrices [19,20,21,22,23,24]
The mechanical properties of banana fiber/PF resin composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) and compression molding (CM) techniques were analyzed as a function of fiber length and fiber loading
Summary
There has been a tremendous interest in the usage of plant fibers as reinforcement in polymer matrices for the manufacture of automobile components [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Sreekumar et al studied the mechanical and water absorption properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyester composites fabricated by RTM and CM techniques. Peponi et al extended a statistical approach to develop a comparative study on the mechanical properties of different natural fibers [13]. Megiatto et al studied the effects of the polymeric coating layer as a coupling agent in phenolic/sisal fibers composites. Test results show that the composite with 40 wt% volume fraction of alkali-treated fiber has the best mechanical properties [16]. The present paper highlights a thorough investigation of the mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strength of banana fiber reinforced PF composites prepared by RTM and CM techniques. Attempt has been made to compare the mechanical properties of the composites fabricated by CM and RTM techniques with theoretical predictions
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