Fiber Composite Materials Research Articles

PTFE foam coating ultrafine glass fiber composite filtration material with Ultra-Clean emissions

Bag filters are widely used for dust removal in the industrial applications with filtration materials serving as the critical component. It is meaningful to develop filtration materials with ultra-clean emission effect, as the emitted gas can be proceeded directly by carbon capture technologies. In this study, we introduced a novel approach to fabricate a kind of gradient-structured filtration material by wet-laying ultrafine glass fibers on the surface of aramid fiber needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, followed by PTFE emulsion foam coating. Our PTFE foam coating ultrafine glass fiber composite filtration material demonstrated remarkable filtration performance, achieving a high filtration efficiency up to 99.86 % and a low pressure drop of 87.54 Pa. After undergoing 30 cycles of filtration, the particulate emission concentration was 0.4327 mg m−3. Significantly, this innovative filtration material exhibited exceptional stability, primarily attributable to the surface filtration effect of the PTFE foam coating layer. This innovative design provided a kind of new direction for the flue gas filtration and the emitted clean air can be capture by carbon capture technologies directly.

Activity in the Field of Blood Coagulation Processes of Poly(Lactide)-Zinc Fiber Composite Material Obtained by Magnetron Sputtering

This article presents the biochemical properties of poly(lactide)-zinc (PLA-Zn) composites obtained by DC magnetron sputtering of zinc onto melt-blown nonwoven fabrics. The biochemical properties were determined by the evaluation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). The antimicrobial activity of the PLA-Zn samples was additionally tested against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains. A structural study of the PLA-Zn has been carried out using specific surface area and total pore volume (BET) analysis, as well as atomic absorption spectrometry with flame excitation (FAAS). PLA-Zn composites exhibited an antibacterial effect against the analyzed strains and produced inhibition zones against E. coli and S. aureus. Biochemical investigations revealed that the untreated PLA fibers caused the acceleration of the clotting of human blood plasma in the intrinsic pathway. However, the PLA-Zn composites demonstrated significantly different properties in this regard, the aPTT was prolonged while the PT was not altered.

Research on properties and cellular structure of nano‐CaCO3/rice‐husk fiber/polypropylene three‐phase thermoplastic microcellular foaming composites

AbstractMicrocellular foamed plant fiber composites have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability, so it has great development potential in the industry. Nevertheless, the existence of cellular structures diminishes the mechanical performance of plant fiber composites. To overcome this problem, in this study, nano‐CaCO3 was used to enhance the microcellular foamed plant fiber composites, and the three‐phase thermoplastic composites, comprised of nano‐CaCO3, rice‐husk fiber, and polypropylene (PP), were fabricated using a chemical foaming injection molding technique. The study analyzed how the nano‐CaCO3 concentration affected the melt viscosity, crystallization characteristics, mechanical properties, and cellular structure of the composites. According to the findings, the mechanical characteristics of microcellular foamed three‐phase thermoplastic composites were enhanced initially and subsequently diminished as the nano‐CaCO3 content was augmented, and obtained optimal value at 2 wt% nano‐CaCO3 content. By observing the cells of microcellular foamed three‐phase thermoplastic composites in vertical and parallel melt flow directions, it was found that the nano‐CaCO3 content of 2 wt% three‐phase thermoplastic composite had the best cellular structure.Highlights The role of nano‐CaCO3 in plant fiber composite materials was explored. The relationship between the content of nano‐CaCO3 and the various properties of tri‐phasic plant fiber composite materials was demonstrated. The mechanisms by which nano‐CaCO3 enhances plant fiber composite materials were analyzed at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.

Preparation and Capacitive Properties of Ni-Doped Zinc Cobaltate/Carbon Fiber Composite Porous Mesh Materials

Nickel-element-doped zinc cobaltate/carbon fiber composites (Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF) were prepared on carbon cloth (made of a combination of carbon fibers) conductive substrates using a simple ambient stirring method combined with heat treatment. Characterization tests of the materials revealed that the prepared products were porous Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF mesh structures. This porous network structure increases the surface area of the material and helps shorten the diffusion path of ions and electrons. The samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods to investigate the effect of Ni elemental doping on the stability of the materials. The results show that there are no other impurity peaks and no other impurity elements in the Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF electrode material, which indicates that the sample purity is high. Meanwhile, the electrochemical properties of Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF electrode materials were studied. Under the condition of 15 A·g−1, the specific capacitance of Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF electrode material is 1470 F·g−1, and after 100 cycles, its specific capacity reaches 1456 F·g−1, which is 99.0% of the specific capacity of 1470 F·g−1, indicating that the electrode material has good stability. In addition, we assembled asymmetric supercapacitors (Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF//CNTs) with Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF as the positive material and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the negative material. In the cyclic stability experiment of Ni-ZnCo2O4/CF/CNTs devices, when the current density was 1 A·g−1, the specific capacitance was 182 F·g−1. After 10,000 cyclic charge–discharge tests, the specific capacity became 167 F·g−1, which was basically unchanged compared with the initial specific capacity, reaching 91.8%. It shows that it has higher charge–discharge performance and higher cycle stability.

Application of carbon fiber composite materials in aircraft

Carbon fiber composite is a material with excellent mechanical properties. Compared with other high-performance fiber materials, carbon fiber composites have the advantages of high strength and high modulus even at ultra-high temperatures. In addition, the carbon fiber composite material also has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and electromagnetic shielding performance. Carbon fiber composites are widely used in the aircraft manufacturing industry due to their incomparable performance with other composite materials. In recent years, the amount of carbon fiber composite materials in newly developed aircraft products has reached more than 50%. This paper aims to explore the application of carbon fiber in aircraft, and to reflect the importance of carbon fiber composite materials by comparing models that use composite materials and models that do not use composite materials. The study explores the application of carbon fiber composite materials in aircraft through a comprehensive literature analysis and review. Key findings indicate significant advantages of these materials in enhancing aircraft performance, including reduced weight and increased strength. The paper also discusses the challenges in manufacturing and environmental impacts, offering insights into future research directions for sustainable aviation technologies.

Industrial sustainable Fabrication, SEM Characterization, mechanical Testing, ANOVA analysis of PP-PETF recycled Composites: Artificial intelligence and deep learning studies for nuclear shielding applications

The sustainable processing of polymeric waste is required innovation. In this article, polypropylene (PP)- polyethylene terephthalate fiber (PETF) composite materials were fabricated according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001–2 and 2008) for commercial manufacturing using extrusion and injection molding. The variations of 0, 10, 30, and 40 % of PETF loadings were utilized for mechanical properties’ optimization. The results indicate that tensile strength, strain, and young’s modulus of elasticity were in the range of 22–25 MPa, 3–5 % and 870–1167 MPa. Correspondingly, the values of flexural strength, strain and modulus constant were in the range of 39–40 MPa, 9–12 % and 1909–2140 MPa, respectively. The impact energies were in the range of 2.6–3.4 kJ/m2. Thermally, the PP-PETF composites were found stable. The scanning electron microscope characterization, presence of induced micro defects, optimum flake structure, analysis of variance, deep learning, and artificial intelligence studies predict the utilization of PP-PETF composites for manufacturing of panels and sheets regarding static loading bearing applications. The reported technical strategies can be utilized as a reference processing technique for industrial manufacturing of PP-PETF based recycled composite products.

Flexible fiber composite functional materials based on Fe-MOFs nanozyme catalytic activity for efficient point-of-use water disinfection

Ensuring clean water sources is crucial for human health and safety. However, in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations, low-energy, convenient water disinfection technologies remain a significant challenge. Herein, a series of Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composites were designed and synthesized by in-situ cross-linking growth of Fe-MIL-101 metal–organic framework nanozymes on carboxymethyl cellulose (filter paper, cotton, gauze), as a class of point-of-use (POU) water disinfection modules with antibacterial efficacy, portability and biosecurity. The results show that the preparation method of water disinfection material is universal, and the most convenient Fe-MIL-101@composite carboxymethyl filter paper (Fe-MIL-101@CMFP) is outstanding. The combination of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme with carboxymethyl filter paper (CMFP) is highly stable, even after 200 mechanical or manual frictions, the MOF particles does not fall off, and its flexibility, mechanical properties and filtration efficiency remain unchanged. Furthermore, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP exhibits remarkable simulated activity of peroxidase and oxidase, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS, •OH and O2•-), which effectively eliminate bacteria. Notably, Fe-MIL-101@CMFP filters have excellent bactericidal capability (about 99%), are equally effective on field water, and have no biosafety concerns. Such Fe-MIL-101@flexible fiber composite material, as a portable POU water disinfection and sterilization functional modules, is expected to solve the problem of distributed water disinfection as well as change the way of obtaining safe drinking water in underdeveloped areas and emergency situations.

Mechanical (static and dynamic) characterization and thermal stability of hybrid green composites for engineering applications

The development of sustainability in industry has made it imperative to utilize waste and accessible natural resources properly. Our goal is to transform the naturally occurring resources, tamarind seed powder (TSP), eelgrass (EG), and adamant creeper (AC), into goods that are beneficial to society. In this study, different weight proportions of alkali-treated AC, EG, and TSP were combined to make hybrid natural fiber (NF) composite materials using the hand layup process. The material strength of the alkali treated (15% AC, 20% EG, and 15% TSP) composite sample was attained 211 MPa, 278 MPa, 21.7 J/m2, and 84.6 for tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness in that sequence. The storage modulus, loss modulus, and mechanical loss factor were measured and plotted against temperature in a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiment. All composites had higher storage and loss moduli and a lower mechanical loss factor, indicating more elastic properties. The findings demonstrated that adding fiber-filled TSP fillers tended to make the epoxy matrix more viscoelastic stiffness. As the weight percentage of fibers in the composite increases, discernible changes in the structural damping capacity have also been noticed. The thermal characteristics of composites were inspected by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the TGA outcomes substantiated that the thermal constancy of a 20% EG-reinforced composite was good. The mechanical, dynamic, and thermal qualities of this composite material will yield significant benefits for the industrial sector.

A study on the strand arrangement in 3D printing of continuous carbon fiber composite materials with multiple strands

3D printing of continuous carbon fiber composite materials with multiple strands has significant potential for improving model forming efficiency. However, in this field, we are faced with the challenge of arranging multiple fiber strands closely without excessive overlap consolidation, to avoid damage to the original model. The inability to effectively control the arrangement of multiple strands can significantly affect the print accuracy and mechanical performance of the model. Therefore, in this study, a predictive formula for the line width of carbon fiber strands is first presented. Subsequently, a device dedicated to 3D printing with multiple strands is designed using this formula, and the interrelationship between pressure and the arrangement of multiple strands is delved into. Comparative tests are also conducted on printed parts for tension and bending to investigate the influence of strand arrangement tightness on the mechanical performance of printed samples under different pressure conditions. Through electron microscopy experiments to analyze the microstructure of fracture surfaces, the causes of differences in mechanical performance and the potential effects of different pressures on print accuracy are explained. The results of the study indicate that when pressure can be precisely controlled to ensure a tight arrangement between multiple strands, the mechanical performance of printed parts reaches its optimal state. The tensile strength can reach 360.62 MPa, and the bending strength is 311.04 MPa. At the same time, for test samples printed under the optimal printing pressure, their surface accuracy is also at its best.

Effect of impact spacing on the dynamic response of UHMWPE fiber composites under two-point high velocity impacts

The impact from multiple bullets leads to more severe damage to fiber composite laminates, and the dynamic response becomes more complex. However, current research has focused on studying the ballistic limit and single impact response of materials. In this study, an experimental method to investigate the dynamic response and damage modes of fiber composite materials under multi-point asynchronous impacts is proposed. The aim is to reveal the mechanisms behind the differences in ballistic limits and energy absorption of UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fiber composite panels at different impact distances. Through CT scanning and DIC (Digital Image Correlation) techniques, the delamination area and dynamic response of the laminates were quantitatively analyzed. The results show that the ballistic limit of the second impact is increased by 3.05 % when the impact distance is 2.5 times the diameter of the bullet. The maximum difference of energy absorption compared to the first impact was only 3.7 % at an impact spacing of 5 times the diameter of the bullet, despite the interference in the damage region. From the perspective of energy absorption, the two impacts are independent. Multiple impact tests are critical for protective materials, and the results of this study provide important insights into UHMWPE fiber laminates in terms of multi-point impact.

A study on: Design and fabrication of E-glass fiber reinforced IPN composite chain plates for low duty chain drives

Chains are used in mechanical drives to carry away a large amount of load from one drive to another drive. Therefore the material of the chain should be able to withstand tensile loads and have high stiffness. Usually the chains are made up of iron. But the disadvantage is that iron consumes more weight and it is more expensive. In order overcome the difficulties, the chain plates are fabricated with the help of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) resins (with vinyl ester and polyurethane) and reinforced E-glass fiber composite material. The main aim of the project is to study and analyze the physical properties and structural properties of the plate material varying proportions of IPN resin such as 100% vinyl ester (VEU) with 0% polyurethane (PU), 90% VEU and 10% PU, 80% VEU and 20% PU, 70% VEU and 30% PU, 60% VEU and 40% PU. Finally a fatigue tests is conducted for different plates for different resin proportion and comparison is made between the characteristics of fabricated chain plate with that of iron material. Because of their dependability and durability, glass fibre reinforced composite link plates are used in material handling equipment, agricultural machinery, manufacturing conveyors, and automobile manufacture.

3D printing path method for multi-tow continuous carbon fiber

Carbon fiber composite materials have many excellent characteristics such as high temperature resistance, friction resistance, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, so carbon fiber composite materials have become the first choice for printing materials. In order to improve the printing efficiency of carbon fiber 3D printing technology, it has been expanded to four side-by-side nozzles based on traditional single nozzles, and four nozzles are bound to print side by side. The four-nozzle side-by-side printing path has the problem of coordinating the motion planning of each nozzle, controlling the squeezing difference of each nozzle, and adjusting the angle of the print head, so it is necessary to reasonably control the squeezing amount of each nozzle and the angle of the print head. After the slicing processing based on the existing model, the Gcode code of the model is obtained. The Gcode code of the model is processed through the multi-tow continuous carbon fiber 3D printing path planning algorithm. The movement trajectory of each nozzle of the printer is reasonably planned based on the outer wall coordinates and the extrusion amount of each nozzle is controlled. Finally, the snipping instruction is executed after a circle of trajectory to print the next layer of motion trajectory, which ultimately improves the 3D printing while ensuring the accuracy of multi-beam model 3D printing.

5G-enabled, battery-less smart skins for self-monitoring megastructures and digital twin applications.

With the current development of the 5G infrastructure, there presents a unique opportunity for the deployment of battery-less mmWave reflect-array-based sensors. These fully-passive devices benefit from having a larger detectability than alternative battery-less solutions to create self-monitoring megastructures. The presented 'smart' skin sensor uses a Van-Atta array design enabling ubiquitous local strain monitoring for the structural health monitoring of composite materials featuring wide interrogation angles. Proof-of-concept prototypes of these 'smart' skin millimeter-wave identification tags, that can be mounted on or embedded within common materials used in wind turbine blades, present a highly-detectable radar cross-section of - 33.75 dBsm and - 35.00 dBsm for mounted and embedded sensors respectively. Both sensors display a minimum resolution of 202 -strain even at 40 off-axis enabling interrogation of the fully-passive sensor at oblique angles of incidence. When interrogated from a proof-of-concept reader, the fully-passive, sticker-like mmID enables local strain monitoring of both carbon fiber and glass fiber composite materials. The sensors display a repeatable and recoverable response over 0-3000 -strain and a sensitivity of 7.55 kHz/ -strain and 7.92 kHz/ -strain for mounted and embedded sensors, respectively. Thus, the presented 5G-enabled battery-less sensor presents massive potential for the development of ubiquitous Digital Twinning of composite materials in future smart cities architectures.

Research of technological processing of semi-finished products in the manufacture of profile products from composite materials

This article examines the process of technological processing of semi-finished product in the manufacture of rod profile products from fibrous composite materials, in particular - round. The purpose is to determine the theoretical value of the parameter which ensures the necessary impregnation of the winding layer during the final moulding of profile products. It is mentioned that in order to ensure a defined structure and degree of filling during the production of rod profile products from spirally reinforced semi-finished products, they are compacted. Compaction can take place in one of two methods: by pressing in a spinneret, crimping with winding. The second method is used in the production of round cross-section rods. In this case, the spirally reinforced structural elements, which initially have a circular cross-sectional shape, deform and acquire an elliptical shape. At the same time, the degree of reinforcement filling of the central part of the structural element changes. The volume of binder removed during deformation per unit time is presented as a function of the ellipse parameter.The displacement of the binder at steady-state mode of moulding is considered.Law of change of pressure gradient along the length of formed element before molding front is defined. The volume of binder removed during bundle formation per unit time is determined. Required molding pressure necessary to ensure a given degree of filling has been determined. It is shown that it is possible to calculate the parameters of a deformed element that will ensure that the binder fills the space between the elements. An equation for determining the value of the parameter of the degree of crimping of an element, depending on the diameter of the used semi-finished product and the thickness of the winding layer is obtained. Data on critical values of a parameter of a degree of crimping of element, depending on diameter of a half-finished product and thickness of a layer of a winding is resulted. A method of determining the parameter of the degree of crimping of the element, which ensures the necessary impregnation of the winding layer during the forming of the profiled products, is proposed.

Universal three-dimensional finite element for analyzing of elastic inhomogeneous shells under thermomechanical loads

The work is devoted to the development of a new modification of the finite element intended for the calculation of inhomogeneous composite shells of thin and medium thickness. The element is constructed on the basis of a universal three-dimensional isoparametric 8-node multilayer finite element of a continuous medium. The layers of the modified finite element are made of composite materials reinforced with continuous unidirectional fibers. Within the framework of a finite element model of a multilayer shell of stepwise variable thickness, a technique for modeling the properties of a unidirectional fibrous composite material has been developed, based on a method for structuring material inhomogeneities iby thickness and by plan. The shell can consist of an arbitrary number of layers of varying thickness bonded into a single piece. Each layer can have its own type of material: traditional or composite. Effective physical and mechanical characteristics of the layer material are determined using known micromechanical methods for predicting the thermoelastic constants of a fiber composite through the known physical characteristics of the matrix and fiber. The fibrous material of the layer is presented as homogeneous transversely isotropic with planes of isotropy normal to the direction of reinforcement. Additional variable parameters of the "basic" universal finite element are supplemented with new attributes that determine the thermoelastic properties of the composite components. The new parameters are related to the choice of the type of fibrous composite material in the layer of the finite element, to the setting of structural micromechanical parameters of its components, and to the setting of the reinforcement orientation angle. This allows the calculations to use both traditional and fiber-composite materials in layers of inhomogeneous shells. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approach.

Investigation of the Durability and Performance of Gears Made of Glass Fiber, Carbon and Bronze-Reinforced Polytetrafluoroethylene Matrix Composite Material

Polymer gears are often used in power transmission due to their numerous advantages. Heat accumulates on polymer gears during operation. Over time, this accumulated heat leads to damage; and shortens the service life of the gears. To prevent this, various fillers are added to the polymer materials. These fillers help to dissipate the heat generated on the gears. In this study, 25% glass fibers, 35% carbon powder, and 60% bronze particles were added to the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix to determine the wear behavior of gears. The properties of the matrix and the filler mainly influence the wear behavior of PTFE composites. The study showed that all composite gears with filler have better wear resistance than pure PTFE gears due to their better thermal stability. After the tests, it was found that the gears made of PTFE + 35% carbon additive had about 12 times better wear rates than those made of pure PTFE. Based on the average temperature values of the experiment, it was found that the mass temperature of gears made of 35% carbon-doped PTFE is about 38-39% lower than that of pure PTFE. This study contributes to the standard studies on heat build-up, thermal damage, and wear of gears made of polymers with different fillers and ratios.

PECT Composite Defect Detection Algorithm Based on DualGAN

To address the problems of insufficient accuracy and slow reconstruction speed of Planar Electrical Capacitance Tomography (PECT) detection of damaged specimens, a Dual Generative Adversarial Networks (DualGAN)-based PECT image defect detection method is proposed in this paper. The improved particle swarm algorithm with adaptive particle number and L2-norm is used to optimize the sensitivity field, combined with the parallel Landweber algorithm to solve the PECT inverse problem to obtain the dielectric constant distribution map. In the DualGAN network, the Unet generator utilizes an Adam-based local attention mechanism to adjust module weights, facilitating feature extraction and the generation of high-quality transformation images of the Landweber dielectric constant distribution. A PatchGAN discriminator is employed to distinguish between transformation images and real images, using the generated transformation images as target images. Experimental results demonstrate that the sensitivity field, enhanced by the improved particle swarm algorithm and L2-norm normalization, achieves better balance. Furthermore, the addition of a network transformation using the Adam-based local attention weight mechanism on the DualGAN network reduces artifacts in the reconstructed images, resulting in more accurate PECT reconstructions. The PECT image defect detection method, integrating DualGAN, an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm, and a local attention mechanism, has made significant strides in addressing challenges related to image reconstruction accuracy and speed. This technological advancement has enhanced the precision and efficiency of defect detection in carbon fiber composite materials, thereby fostering the broader utilization of planar capacitance tomography technology in industrial damage detection and material defect analysis.

Combined use of mullite and basalt fiber to inhibit the strength decline of oil well cement stone under alternating conditions of temperature rise and fall

During the development process of heavy oil with steam huff and puff, the wellbore undergoes alternating conditions of temperature rise and fall, leading to a significant decline in the strength of the cement sheath. This work studied the inhibition effect and mechanism of the composite material composed of mullite and basalt fiber on the strength decline of cement stone (the hardened body of cement slurry) under simulated wellbore temperature alternating conditions from 80 °C to 260 °C. The pore structure distribution of cement stone was investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), the microstructure and phase composition of cement stone was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), together with quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. After 4 rounds of curing under alternating temperature conditions, the compressive strength of cement stone containing mullite and basalt fiber composite material was 28.6 MPa at 260 °C, which was only 9.2 % lower than that at 80 °C. However, the compressive strength of the blank cement stone without composite materials decreased to 22.5 MPa at 260 °C, which was 20 % lower than that at 80 °C. After 4 rounds of alternating temperature cured, the harmful pores of the cement stone without composite materials increase, and the xonotlite flakes and stacks together. The cement stone added with mullite has a finer pore structure after 4 rounds of alternating temperature cured because mullite reacts with portlandite to form C-A-S-H gel. The xonotlite remains fibrous, and a small amount of new phase hibschite is formed. Furthermore, basalt fiber can react with C-A-S-H gel at high temperatures, and the two phases are closely combined to further improve the high-temperature resistance of cement stone.

Investigation of Mechanical, Thermal Properties of Camel wool Fiber and Chopped E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin with and without Addition of Iron Oxide

Composites are an excellent alternative to metal alloys due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. It's awesome that researchers are working on biodegradable and recyclable fiber-reinforced composites. Each natural and synthetic fiber has advantages and disadvantages, but combining different fibers alters the properties of composite materials. In this project, we used camel wool fiber and chopped E-glass to make a hybrid composite with epoxy as the matrix. Combining different fibers in composite materials, it is possible to alter their properties and create materials with specific characteristics. Additionally, adding fillers to composites can further enhance their characteristics, such as improving strength, stiffness, and other mechanical and thermal properties. We also experimented with different amounts of iron oxide which resulted in these semi-biodegradable materials. The mechanical and thermal characteristics of these composites improved as the iron oxide powder content rose. The best part is that using iron oxide as a filler material can help reduce material costs. Key Words: Chopped E glass (CEG), Camel wool Fiber (CWF), Filler, Differential thermal analysis (DTA), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Derivative thermogravimetry (DTG).

Development of eco-friendly bio-composites using banana fibers for enhanced tensile and flexural properties

The synthetic fiber composite materials have witnessed widespread adoption in high-performance applications due to their lightweight and high-strength properties. However, the non-renewable and non-biodegradable nature of synthetic fibers has raised environmental concerns. This has spurred research into natural fiber composites, often referred to as “bio-composites,” as sustainable alternatives to synthetic counterparts. Among these, bio-composites reinforced with natural fibers include banana, coir, jute, silk, sisal, and bamboo have gained significant attention as industrial materials. This research endeavor focuses on the development of banana fiber-reinforced composites using hand lay-up and VARTM methods techniques and explores their mechanical properties. Three distinct types of composites were fabricated, employing natural banana fibers and banana fabric as reinforcement materials, with epoxy resin as the matrix. Mechanical characterization encompassing tensile and flexural properties was conducted to assess the performance of the bio-composites. SEM with EDS analysis revealed distinct microstructural features and elemental compositions. The bio-composites manufactured via the VARTM method employing banana fabrics exhibited significant enhancements in mechanical properties. The bio-composites made with VARTM showed an impressive 160 % improvement inflexural strength and a 217 % increase in tensile strength when compared to the hand-layup method. The findings of this experimental study underscore the superior load-carrying capacity of bio-composites fabricated through the VARTM method and banana fabric reinforcement when compared to other combinations. This research underscores the potential of banana fibers as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers in composite materials, contributing to eco-friendly and environmentally responsible solutions in various high-performance industries