Testing and Evaluation of Tensile and Impact Strength of Neem/Banyan Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composite

Abstract

Abstract Natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites are prime focus materials for numerous engineering applications. In this research work, chopped neem (Azadirachta indica) fibers and bidirectional banyan (Ficus benghalensis) woven fabric-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were fabricated using the conventional hand lay-up technique. Two fibers, namely chopped neem fiber and woven banyan fiber, were stacked in three different sequences. The weight fraction of these two fibers was varied to quantify the strength of the hybrid composite. The mechanical properties, such as tensile, compression, and impact tests, were carried out to quantify the effect of the fiber weight fraction and the stacking sequence of fiber on the strength of the hybrid composite. The increase in 9 % woven banyan fiber weight fraction has a positive influence on the tensile and compressive strengths of the natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites. Further, the stacking sequence of these two fibers has significant influence on the compressive strength of the hybrid composites. The impact energy absorption capacity of the hybrid composite is more significantly increased with an increase in the 9 % chopped neem fiber weight fraction than with an increase in the banyan fiber weight fraction. The scanning electron microscopy surface morphological analysis revealed the dominant mode of failure in the hybrid composites.