Mechanical Properties of Banana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Composite materials were known to mankind in the Paleolithic age (also known as Old Stone age). The 300 ft high ziggurat or temple tower built in the city center of Babylon was made with clay mixed with finely chopped straw [1, 2]. In recent years, polymeric based composite materials are being used in many applications, such as automotive, sporting goods, marine, electrical, industrial, construction, household appliances, etc. Polymeric composites have high strength and stiffness, light weight, and high corrosion resistance.

In the past decade, extensive research work has been carried out on the natural fiber reinforced composite materials in many applications. Natural fibers are available in abundance in nature and can be used to reinforce polymers to obtain light and strong materials. Natural fibers from plants are beginning to find their way into commercial applications such as automotive industries, household applications, etc. [3].

A number of investigations have been conducted on several types of natural fibers such as kenaf, hemp, flax, bamboo, and jute to study the effect of these fibers on the mechanical properties of composite materials [4–7]. Mansur and Aziz [6] studied bamboo-mesh reinforced cement composites, and found that this reinforcing material could enhance the ductility and toughness of the cement matrix, and increase significantly its tensile, flexural, and impact strengths.

Read More/Reference:

http://www.ajse.kfupm.edu.sa/articles/322B_P.13.pdf