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Mechanical Performance of Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

Maries Idicula, Kuruvilla Joseph and Sabu Thomas Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 2010 29: 12 originally published online 24 April 2009 DOI: 10.1177/0731684408095033 The online version of this article can be found at: http://jrp.sagepub.com/content/29/1/12

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Mechanical Performance of Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

MARIES IDICULA Department of Chemistry, Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla, 689 103 Kerala, India KURUVILLA JOSEPH Department of Chemistry, SB College, Changanacherry, Kerala, India SABU THOMAS* School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P.O., Kottayam, 686 560 Kerala, India
ABSTRACT: Short randomly oriented banana and sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites, banana/polyester composites and sisal/polyester composites were fabricated at different fiber loading say, 0.20 to 0.50 Vf. Composites were prepared by varying the relative volume fraction of the two fibers at each fiber loading. When the fiber loading was increased; tensile, flexural, and impact properties increased. Better performance was shown by composites having volume fraction, 0.40 Vf. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus showed a positive hybrid effect when the volume ratio of the fiber was varied in the hybrid composites at each fiber loading. Maximum tensile strength was observed in composites having volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1. When the volume ratio of sisal was increased, the impact strength of the composite increased. Different layering patterns were tried at 0.40 Vf, keeping the volume ratio of fibers 1 : 1. Tensile properties were slightly greater in the trilayer composite with banana as the skin material. Bilayer composites showed higher flexural and impact property. SEM studies were carried out to evaluate fiber/matrix interactions. Experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions. KEY WORDS: banana, sisal, hybrid, composite.

INTRODUCTION

environment friendly, low priced, and sustainable natural resources that have been in considerable demand in recent years. They have already established a track record as simple filler material in automobile parts. A lot of research work is taking place in this field [15]. Herrera and Gonzalez [6] studied the mechanical properties of henequen fiber reinforced HDPE composites. Joshi et al. [7] reviewed that natural fiber composites are superior to glass fiber composites.
ATURAL FIBERS ARE

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: sabut@sancharnet.in

Journal of REINFORCED PLASTICS

AND

COMPOSITES, Vol. 29, No. 1/2010

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0731-6844/10/01 001218 $10.00/0 DOI: 10.1177/0731684408095033 SAGE Publications 2010 Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

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Recently, many studies are going on in this field [811]. A range of properties can be obtained by combining two or more different types of fibers in a common matrix. The effect of hybridization of natural fibers with glass fibers has been studied extensively [12]. By careful selection of reinforcing fibers, the material costs can be substantially reduced. Nowadays, it is observed that by hybridizing two natural fibers, high performance composites can be produced. Paiva Junior et al. [13] used plain weave hybrid ramie-cotton fabrics as reinforcement in polyester matrix and showed the high potential of ramie fiber and weak contribution of cotton fiber as reinforcement in lignocellulosic fiber composites. Jacob and coworkers [14,15] studied the mechanical properties and cure characteristics of sisal oil palm hybrid fiber reinforced natural rubber composites. In this study, banana fibers and sisal fibers were selected to hybridize and reinforce a polyester matrix to develop high performance and cost effective composites. The physical properties of natural fibers are mainly determined by chemical and physical compositions, such as structure of fibers, cellulose content, lumen size, microfibrillar angle, and degree of polymerization. When compared to other natural fibers, sisal and banana have good mechanical properties. The properties of the fibers are given in Table 1. The microfibrillar angle and lumen size of sisal fiber is higher than of banana fiber. Hence sisal fiber reinforced composites show comparatively high impact strength. Pavithran et al. [16] reported the impact strength of unidirectionally aligned sisal fiber/ polyester composites. In general, the strength of a fiber increases with increasing cellulose content and decreasing spiral angle with respect to the fiber axis. The cellulose content of banana and sisal fiber is almost same, but the spiral angle of banana (118) is much lower than sisal (208). Hence the inherent tensile properties of banana fiber will be higher than sisal. The diameter of banana fiber is lower than that of sisal [17]. Hence the surface area of banana fibers in unit area of the composite will be higher and hence the stress transfer is increased in banana reinforced composite compared to that of sisal reinforced composite. This study establishes the mechanical performance of banana/sisal reinforced polyester composites. Tensile properties of both fibers were determined. Tensile properties of the composites as a function of fiber loading and fiber composition and layering patterns were analyzed. Three point flexure properties of composites were also investigated. The impact strength as a function of fiber loading, fiber composition and layering patterns were investigated. Tensile and impact fracture mechanism was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Hybrid effect was also calculated.

Table 1. Properties of banana and sisal fiber.

Properties Cellulose % Hemicellulose % Lignin % Moisture content % Density (kg/m3) Flexural modulus (GPa) Microfibrillar angle Lumen size (mm) Banana fiber 6364 19 5 1011 1350 25 118 5 Sisal fiber 65 12 9.9 10 1450 12.517.5 208 11

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14 EXPERIMENTAL Materials

M. IDICULA ET AL.

Isopthalic polyester resin HSR 8131 obtained from M/s. Bakelite Hylam Ltd., Hyderabad, India was used in this study. Banana and sisal fibers were obtained from Sheeba Fibers and Handicrafts, Poovancode, Tamilnadu, India. The curing agents methyl ethyl ketone peroxide and catalyst cobalt naphthenate used were of commercial grade and were obtained from M/s. Sharon Enterprises, Cochin, India. Important characteristics of polyester resin are given in Table 2. Preparation of Composites Banana and sisal fibers were cut into 30-mm length. A hand lay-up method followed by compression molding was adopted for composite fabrication. The curing of polyester was done by the incorporation of 1 vol% methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. A 1% (volume percent) cobalt naphthenate was added as catalyst. Keeping the volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 3, short randomly oriented intimately mixed hybrid composites were prepared at different fiber loading say, 0.200.50 Vf. Unhybridized composites were also prepared at these fiber loadings. Keeping the volume ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1 and total fiber loading 0.40 Vf, different layering patterns such as trilayer (banana/sisal/banana and sisal/banana/sisal), bilayer (banana/sisal) composites were prepared. Mats of chopped fibers were prepared and were impregnated in polyester resin in a mold having dimension 150 150 3 mm. Curing was done at room temperature for 24 h under a constant pressure of 1 MPa. Different layering patterns are schematically represented in Figure 1(ad). In Figure 1(a), banana is the skin material and sisal is the core material and it is in the reverse order in Figure 1(b). Figure 1(c) is the bilayer composite and Figure 1(d) is the intimate mix composite. Mechanical Testing Mechanical testing of single banana and sisal fibers was carried out in a FIE universal testing machine with a gauge length of 30 mm and cross head speed of 1 mm/min. For statistical reasons 30 samples were tested and average values of mechanical properties were calculated. To determine the stress on the fibers, the load was converted to this parameter by measuring the fiber diameters using Leica (DMLP) polarizing light microscope.

Table 2. Typical properties of liquid resin.

Appearance Viscosity at 258C (cps) Brookfield viscometer Specific gravity at 258C A clear pale yellow liquid 650 1.11

Typical properties of cured unreinforced resin (specimens cured for 24 h at room temperature followed by post curing for 24 h at 808C Tensile strength Flexural strength Impact strength 33 MPa 70 MPa 9 kJ/m2

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

(a) Banana Sisal Banana (b) Sisal Banana Sisal

15

(c) Sisal

(d) Intimate mix Banana

Figure 1. Schematic representation of different layering patterns of hybrid composites: (a) banana/sisal/ banana, (b) sisal/banana/sisal, (c) bilayer, and (d) intimate mix.

By assuming that the fibers have a near circular cross-section, the diameters were converted to cross-sectional area, and hence stress could be determined by dividing the load values by this constant. Test specimens were cut from the composite sheets having dimensions (100 15 3) mm. Tensile testing was carried out using FIE electronic universal testing machine TNE 500 according to ASTM D 638-76. Three point flexure properties were also tested using the same machine according to ASTM D -790. Izod impact test on unnotched specimen was determined using a pendulum impact testing machine. A 25 J pendulum was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Intrinsic Properties of Fibers Tensile properties and diameters of banana and sisal fibers are given in Table 3. Tensile strength and modulus of banana fiber is higher than sisal fiber. Elongation at break of sisal fiber is slightly greater than banana. The diameter of banana fiber is less than sisal fiber. Tensile Properties EFFECT OF FIBER LOADING ON TENSILE PROPERTIES Figure 2 represents the stressstrain behavior of short randomly oriented intimately mixed banana/sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites having volume ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1 at different fiber loading. The behavior of neat polyester resin (gum) is also presented in the figure. The brittle nature of polyester is clear from the curve. The stressstrain curves of the composites show a linear behavior at low strains followed by a significant change in slope showing a non-linear behavior, which is maintained up to the complete failure of the composite. Fibers and matrix behave linearly at low strains. The second stage of the curve leading to decrease in slope corresponds to the plastic deformation of matrix and to micro-crack initiation in the matrix. Randomly oriented

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M. IDICULA ET AL. Table 3. Tensile properties and diameter of banana and sisal fibers.

Fiber Banana Sisal

Diameter (km) 120 5.8 205 4.3

Tensile strength (MPa) 550 6.8 350 7

Tensile modulus (GPa) 22 20

Elongation at break (%) 34 67

65 60 55 50 45 Stress (MPa) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Strain (%) 6 7 8 Gum 0.20 Vf 0.30 Vf 0.40 Vf 0.50 Vf

Figure 2. Tensile stressstrain curve of banana/sisal/polyester composites having different fiber loading, keeping the ratio of banana and sisal at 1 : 1.

fibers inhibit the crack propagation and gradual debonding of the fibers from the matrix occurs during plastic deformation. Unstable propagation of the initiated cracks through the matrix occurs and the strength decreases abruptly to an almost zero value. As the fiber loading increases the slope in the curves occurs at higher stress values. The slope of composite having 0.40 Vf is higher, which is obvious from the figure. Figure 3 represents the effect of fiber loading on tensile strength of banana/polyester composite (B), sisal/polyester composite (S) and hybrid composites having volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 3, respectively. In all cases it can be observed that tensile strength increases with fiber loading. Prominent increase is observed up to 0.40 Vf.. When the volume fraction increases from 0.20 to 0.30 Vf, the tensile strength increases to 18, 32, 32, 33, and 20% in the composites B, B : S 3 : 1, B : S 1 : 1, B : S 1 : 3 and S, respectively. While the volume fraction increases from 0.20 to 0.40 Vf, the corresponding increase in tensile strength is 43, 44, 48, 53, and 51%, respectively. After that, tensile strength slightly increases only in the hybrid composite with B : S 3 : 1. At high fiber loading, fiber agglomeration results, which decrease the stress transfer between the fiber and the matrix. This shows that 0.40 Vf is the maximum allowable fiber content at which maximum stress transfer occurs from fiber to matrix.

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

65 60 Tensile strength (MPa) 55 50 45 40 35 30 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Volume fraction of fiber 0.5 0.6 B B:S = 3 : 1 B:S =1 : 1 B:S =1 : 3 S

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Figure 3. Effect of fiber loading on tensile strength of unhybridized composites and hybrid composites having different volume ratios of fibers.

Table 4. Tensile modulus in MPa of the composites having different fiber loading and fiber ratio.
Volume fraction (Vf) 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 100% banana 1010 1312 1352 1412 Banana : Sisal 3 : 1 1090 1469 1536 1647 Banana : Sisal 1 : 1 1347 1443 1615 1545 Banana : Sisal 1 : 3 1253 1599 1477 1540 100% Sisal 1069 1185 1079 1110

At all fiber loading, tensile strength of sisal/polyester composite is lower compared to banana/polyester composite and hybrid composites. Composites with a volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1 show higher tensile strength at all fiber loading. The inherent tensile properties of banana fiber are higher than sisal (Table 3), meaning the reinforcing effect of banana is greater in polyester than sisal. The diameter of banana fiber is less than sisal as well. Therefore the surface area of the fiber in unit area of the composite is higher in banana/polyester composite than that of sisal/polyester composite, giving that physical interaction as well as stress-transfer in unit area is higher in the case of banana filled composites. As the volume fraction of banana is increased, the tensile strength of the composite increased and a synergism is occurred in the hybrid composites. The tensile modulus of neat polyester is 950 MPa and elongation at break is 2.8%. The tensile modulus and elongation at break of the composites are given in Tables 4 and 5, respectively. As fiber loading increases tensile modulus also increases. The hybrid composites also show a synergism in tensile modulus. At 0.40 Vf, the hybrid composite having a volume ratio of banana and sisal of 1 : 1 shows the maximum tensile modulus. The elongation at break of the composites increases with fiber loading. The addition of cellulosic fibers makes the matrix ductile. The elongation at break shows minimum value in the hybrid composites having a volume ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1.

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M. IDICULA ET AL. Table 5. Elongation at break (%) of the composites having different fiber loading and fiber ratio.
Volume fraction Banana : Sisal Banana : Sisal Banana : Sisal (Vf) 100% B 3:1 1:1 1:3 100% S 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 4 5 6 7 4 6 7 7 3 5 6 7. 5 6 7 9 6 7 7 9

60

50

40 Stress (MPa)

30 S B B:S = 3 : 1 B:S =1 : 1 B:S =1 : 3

20

10

0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Strain (%) 7 8 9

Figure 4. Tensile stressstrain behavior of banana/sisal/polyester composites on varying the relative volume fraction of the two fibers and that of banana/polyester and sisal/polyester composites, keeping the total Vf 0.40.

EFFECT OF VARYING THE VOLUME RATIO OF THE FIBERS ON TENSILE PROPERTIES The tensile stressstrain curve of hybrid composites having different volume ratios of the fibers and unhybrized composites at 0.40 Vf can be seen in Figure 4. S represents 100% sisal fiber reinforced composite while B represents that of banana reinforced composite. The slope of B is higher than S and the slope of hybrid composite having B : S 3 : 1 is the highest. Since the microfibrillar angle of banana fiber is less than that of sisal, the reinforcing ability of banana is greater compared to sisal in polymeric matrix. The high strength of banana/polyester composite is explained above. The effect of varying the relative volume fraction of fibers on the tensile strength at different fiber loading of composites is depicted in Figure 5. Banana filled composite shows higher tensile strength compared to sisal at all fiber loading. As the volume fraction of banana is increased

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

70 65 Tensile strength (MPa) 60 55 50 45 40 35 0 20 40 60 80 Volume percentage of banana fiber 100 0.20 Vf 0.30 Vf 0.40 Vf 0.50 Vf

19

Figure 5. Effect of varying the relative volume fraction of banana and sisal on the tensile strength of banana/ sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites at different fiber loading.

in the composite, the tensile strength increased. When banana is 67 vol% in the hybrid composites, the increase in tensile strength compared to sisal/polyester composites is 17, 28, 12, and 17% at 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 Vf, respectively. Since the elongation at break of sisal fiber is greater than that of banana, the highest stress carried out by banana fiber is transferred to sisal without failure of the matrix. This results in synergistic strengthening of the fibers. Dispersion of fibers will be higher in a hybrid composite compared to that of unhybridized composite [18]. It was reported earlier that the criterion for optimum adhesion between matrix and reinforcing fibers is based on maximizing the wetting tension [19]. It is shown that the maximum wetting tension criterion best fulfils two important requirements for a strong interface. First, the physical interactions at the molecular level between the resin and the fibers must be maximized, and second, the liquid resin must spontaneously wet the fiber surface in order to minimize the flow density at the interface. As the dispersion increases, wetting tension as well as physical adhesion between the fiber and matrix increases. The higher interaction in the case of banana-filled composites can be explained. The surface area of the fiber in unit area of the composite is higher in banana/ polyester composite than that of sisal/polyester composite because the diameter of banana fiber is less than that of sisal fiber. Hence physical interaction as well as stress-transfer in unit area is higher in the case of banana-filled composites. Tensile modulus and elongation at break of the above composites can be seen in Tables 4 and 5 respectively. Modulus of hybrid composites is higher than single systems. It is an indication of positive hybrid effect. Due to the higher inherent elongation at break of sisal fibers compared to banana, the elongation at break of sisal fiber composite is higher compared to banana at all fiber loading. Elongation at break is found to be lower in composites with volume ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1. EFFECT OF LAYERING PATTERN ON TENSILE PROPERTIES The tensile stressstrain curve of hybrid composites of different layering patterns having total volume fraction 0.40 Vf and volume ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1 is depicted

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M. IDICULA ET AL.

60

50

40 Stress (MPa)

30

20 Bilayer S/B/S B/S/B Intimate 0 1 2 4 5 3 Strain (%) 6 7

10

Figure 6. Tensile stressstrain behavior of composites having different layering patternvolume ratio of banana and sisal at 1 : 1 at a total fiber loading of 0.40 Vf.

Table 6. Mechanical properties of composites having different layering patterns of fibers (total Vf 0.40, banana : sisal 1 : 1).
Properties Tensile strength (MPa) Tensile modulus (MPa) Elongation at break (%) Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural modulus (MPa) Impact strength (kJ/m2) Bilayer 54 1302 6 65 2991 43 S/B/S 54 1290 6.2 61 2846 37 B/S/B 58 1476 5.4 63 2916 36 Intimate mix 57 1615 6.5 62 2842 36

in Figure 6. B/S/B represents the stress-strain curve of the composite in which banana is the skin material and S/B/S is that in which sisal is the skin material. In S/B/S, the plastic deformation occurs at a lower stress level while in B/S/B, plastic deformation occurs at a higher stress level. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break of the above composites are given in Table 6. The tensile strength was observed to be higher when banana was used as the skin material and sisal as core material. The tensile strength will be higher when the high strength material is used as the skin, which is the main loadbearing component in tensile measurements. The tensile strength of the intimate mix composite is slightly lower than that of the composite having banana as the skin material and sisal as the core. Better stress transfer occurs in intimately mixed composites. In S/B/S, the value is slightly lower because the low strength sisal fiber is used as the skin material. In bilayer, the tensile strength is again the same. The tensile modulus is found to be highest for the intimate mix composite, slightly lower in B/S/B and lowest for S/B/S.

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

70

21

60

50 Flexural stress (MPa)

40

30

20 0.20 Vf 0.30 Vf 0.40 Vf 0.50 Vf 0 1 2 3 4 Flexural strain (%) 5

10

Figure 7. Flexural stressstrain behavior of the hybrid composites at different fiber loading, keeping the volume ratio of banana and sisal at 1 : 1.

Flexural Properties EFFECT OF FIBER LOADING ON FLEXURAL PROPERTIES By the application of flexural force, the upper and lower surface of the specimen under three-point bending load is subjected to compression and tension and axi-symmetric plane is subjected to shear stress. So there are two failure modes in the materials; bending and shear failure. The specimen fails when bending or shear stress reaches the corresponding critical value. The modes of failure of the composites under three-point bending can be obtained from the force deflection curves [20]. Figure 7 is the flexural stressstrain graph of the intimately mixed hybrid composites having a ratio of banana and sisal 1 : 1 at different fiber loading. As loading increases, the plastic deformation occurs at higher flexural stress in composites having volume fraction up to 0.40 and then at a lower level. The stiffness of the composite shows its highest value at 0.40 Vf, which is understood from the stressstrain curve. By increasing the fiber loading from 0.20 to 0.40 Vf, the flexural strength is found to increase by 32%. The effect of flexural strength on fiber loading of the hybrid composites having volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 3, and unhybridized composites can be observed in Figure 8. As fiber loading increases, flexural strength also increases up to 0.40 Vf and then decreases. Up to 0.40 Vf, the fiber/matrix interaction is improved and on further loading, the fiber-to-fiber contact increases and fiber agglomeration results which lead to a decrease in stress transfer between the matrix. The flexural modulus of the above composites can be observed in Table 7. As fiber loading increased, flexural modulus also increased. It was reported that the flexural strength of short banana fiber reinforced polyester composites is lower than that of neat polyester [21]. The same trend is also observed here.

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65 B B:S = 3 : 1 B:S =1 : 1 B:S =1 : 3 S

M. IDICULA ET AL.

Flexural strength (MPa)

60

55

50

45

0.2

0.3 0.4 Volume fraction of fiber

0.5

Figure 8. Effect of fiber loading on flexural strength of banana/sisal/polyester composites at different volume ratios of fibers, banana/polyester composites, and sisal/polyester composites.

Table 7. Flexural modulus(MPa) of composites having different fiber loading and fiber ratio.
Volume fraction (Vf) 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 100% B 2310 2350 2723 2825 B:S3:1 2515 2380 2981 2958 B:S1:1 2247 2376 2842 2950 B:S1:3 2236 2395 2661 2980 100% S 2226 2323 2737 2882

EFFECT OF VARYING THE RELATIVE VOLUME FRACTION OF THE FIBERS ON FLEXURAL PROPERTIES Figure 9 shows the flexural stressstrain curve of the intimately mixed hybrid composites having different volume ratios of fibers, banana/polyester composite, and sisal/polyester composite at 0.40 Vf. The slope of the curve increases and the plastic deformation occur at higher stress level in hybrid composites compared to unhybridized ones. Maximum stress can be seen in composite with ratio of banana and sisal of 1 : 1. Figure 10 delineates the effect of varying the volume ratio of banana and sisal on flexural strength in the hybrid composites at different fiber loading. Flexural strength of the hybrid composites is higher than unhybridized composites at each fiber loading. A positive hybrid effect is observed. At all fiber loading, flexural strength is maximum when the relative volume ratio of banana and sisal in the composite is 1 : 1. As explained earlier, higher compatibility as well as dispersion in hybrid composites is achieved, which lead to a better stress transfer ability in composites. Flexural modulus was also analyzed and can be observed in Table 7. A positive hybrid effect is also observed in the flexural modulus.

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

70

23

60

50 Flexural stress (MPa)

40

30 S B B:S = 3 : 1 B:S =1 : 1 B:S =1 : 3

20

10

0 0 1 2 3 4 Flexural strain (%) 5

Figure 9. Flexural stressstrain behavior of banana/sisal/polyester composites on varying the relative volume fraction of the two fibers and that of unhybridized composites at a total volume fraction of 0.40.

65 0.20 Vf 0.30 Vf 0.40 Vf 0.50 Vf

Flexural strength (MPa)

60

55

50

45 0 20 40 60 80 100

Volume percentage of banana fiber

Figure 10. Effect of varying the relative volume fraction of banana and sisal on flexural strength banana/sisal/ polyester composites at different fiber loading.

EFFECT OF LAYERING PATTERN ON FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF THE COMPOSITES The flexural stressstrain curve of trilayer composites such as banana/sisal/banana (B/S/B), sisal/banana/sisal (S/B/S), bilayer composite (banana/sisal), and an intimate mix

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80 70 60 Flexural stress (MPa) 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 Flexural strain (%) 5

M. IDICULA ET AL.

S/B/S Bilayer B/S/B Intimate

Figure 11. Flexural stressstrain curve of the hybrid composites having different layering pattern at a total volume fraction of 0.40 Vf having a volume ratio of banana and sisal at 1 : 1.

composite having a volume ratio of banana and sisal of 1 : 1 at 0.40 Vf are given in Figure 11. The stress is maximum in the bilayer composite. Table 6 shows the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the composites. Flexural modulus is also higher in the bilayer composite. In the case of the bilayer composite, the flexural stress was applied in such a manner that when bending took place, the banana layer came on the outer surface and as a result the banana fiber had to take more stress. Since the strength of banana fiber is higher than that of sisal, it can withstand high stress during bending and the strength of the composite will be higher. This is the reason for the higher flexural properties of the bilayer composite. Impact Properties EFFECT OF FIBER LOADING ON IMPACT STRENGTH OF THE COMPOSITES The impact failure of a composite occurs with factors such as matrix fracture, fiber/ matrix debonding, and fiber pull-out. Among these fibers, pullout is found to be an important energy dissipation mechanism in fiber reinforced composites [22]. Fiber-matrix debonding occurs when the applied load transferred by shear to fibers may exceed the fiber/matrix interfacial bond strength. When the stress level exceeds the fiber strength, fiber fracture occurs. The fractured fibers may be pulled out of the matrix, which involves energy dissipation. Impact resistance of a composite is the measure of total energy dissipated in the material before final failure occurs. Figure 12 shows the effect of fiber loading on impact properties of the composites at different volume ratios of the fiber. B and S represent banana/polyester and sisal/polyester composites, respectively. In all cases, it can be seen that impact strength increases with fiber loading. The impact strength

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Short Banana/Sisal Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

50 45 Impact strength (kJ/mm2) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Volume fraction of fiber 0.5 B B:S = 3 : 1 B:S =1 : 1 B:S =1 : 3 S

25

Figure 12. Effect of fiber loading on impact strength of banana/sisal/polyester composites at different volume ratio of fibers, banana/polyester composites, and sisal/polyester composites.

of neat polyester is only 9 kJ/m2. By the incorporation of 0.20 Vf of sisal fiber the impact strength increased to 93% and for 0.40 Vf of sisal it increased to 375%. By incorporating 0.40 Vf of banana fiber the impact strength increased to 305%. The high impact strength of sisal fiber is due to the high porous nature of it due to the higher lumen size and high spiral angle. In the case of hybrid composites maximum strength is obtained where B : S 1 : 3. i.e., 356% at 0.40 Vf. The main disadvantage of thermoset moldings is high shrinkage during curing, high brittle behavior and surface cracking. But on adding cellulose fiber, these drawbacks are almost eliminated. At lower fiber loading, fibers are found embedded in the matrix and hence fiber breakage and fiber pull out occurs on the application of a sudden force. The fiber crowding leads to easy debonding at high loading, which increases the impact resistance. Since cellulose fibers are more porous; when loading increases, the impact strength also increases. EFFECT OF VARYING THE VOLUME RATIO OF FIBERS ON IMPACT STRENGTH The effect of varying the relative volume fraction of fibers on the impact strength of the hybrid composites at different fiber loading is depicted in Figure 13. Impact strength of banana/polyester and sisal/polyester composites can also be seen. The high impact strength of sisal/polyester composites can be explained. Natural fiber reinforced plastics with fibers having a high microfibrillar angle indicated a higher composite fracturetoughness than those with small spiral angles. It was reported that composites with sisal fibers (spiral angle 208) show good impact properties [17]. The microfibrillar angle of banana fiber is 118, which has lower fracture toughness compared to sisal fiber. Again the lumen size of sisal fiber is greater than that of banana fiber (Table 1) which increases the porous nature of the fiber as well as the impact strength. It is found that on increasing the relative volume fraction of sisal in the banana/sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composite, the impact strength increased. Upon hybridization negative hybrid effect is observed on impact properties in all fiber loading. Better compatibility of the fiber,

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50 45 Impact strength (kJ/mm2) 40 35 30 25 20 15 0 60 80 20 40 Volume percentage of banana fiber 100 0.20 Vf 0.30 Vf 0.40 Vf 0.50 Vf

M. IDICULA ET AL.

Figure 13. Effect of varying the relative volume fraction of banana and sisal on impact strength of banana/ sisal/polyester composites at different fiber loading.

as already mentioned, will decrease the impact strength due to the least possibility for fiber pull-out in the hybrid composites. THE EFFECT OF A LAYERING PATTERN OF FIBERS IMPACT ON STRENGTH OF THE COMPOSITES Impact resistance of a composite is the measure of total energy dissipated in the material before final failure occurs. Composite fracture toughness is affected by interlaminar and interfacial strength parameters. The interlaminar splitting and interfacial debonding act to relieve the stress concentrations at the crack tip. Thus high composite fracture toughness and high composite interlaminar properties are incompatible. The impact strength of the hybrid composites having a ratio of banana and sisal of 1 : 1 at 0.40 Vf with different layering patterns can be observed in Table 6. Impact strength of the bilayer composite is comparatively high, because sisal that has high fracture toughness compared to banana is present on one side of the composite. Intimate mix and B/S/B have almost the same impact strength, which is much lower than bilayer composite. As explained earlier the high tensile strength offered to them due to better stress transfer from fiber to matrix is the reason for the low impact strength. Hybrid Effect The hybrid reinforcing effect of the two fibers has been theoretically calculated. The law of additive rule of hybrid mixtures was used to calculate the hybrid effect. The rule is given by: XH X1 V1 X2 V2 1

where XH is a characteristic property of the hybrid composite, X1 and X2 are characteristic properties of individual composites, and V1 and V2 are the volume fractions of the

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reinforcements in hybrid composites. Figure 14 compares the experimental tensile strength of the hybrid composites having total volume fraction of 0.40 Vf with theoretical predictions. A positive hybrid effect in tensile strength can be observed. Theoretical prediction expects complete intermingling of both the fibers within the matrix. Figure 15 compares the experimental tensile modulus at 0.40 Vf with theoretical predictions. A positive hybrid effect can also be observed in this case.
62 0.40 Vf (theoretical) 0.40 Vf (experimental)

60 Tensile strength (MPa)

58

56

54

52

50 0 60 80 20 40 Volume percentage of banana fiber (%) 100

Figure 14. Experimental tensile strength and theoretical predictions in intimately mixed hybrid composites having different fiber volume ratio (Vf 0.40).

2000 1800 Tensile modulus (MPa) 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 0 20 40 60 80 Volume percentage of banana fiber (%) 100 0.40 Vf (theoretical) 0.40 Vf (experimental)

Figure 15. Experimental results and theoretical predictions of tensile modulus in intimately mixed hybrid composites when the relative volume fraction of the two fibers is varied at a total fiber loading of 0.40 Vf .

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28 CONCLUSIONS

M. IDICULA ET AL.

Mechanical performance of short randomly oriented banana/polyester, sisal/polyester, and hybrid/polyester composites was studied. Composites were prepared at 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 Vf by varying the relative volume fraction of the two fibers. In all composites mechanical properties increases with fiber loading. Composites having 0.40 Vf showed better performance. Impact strength was found to be maximum in sisal/polyester composites at all fiber loading. High tensile strength was obtained for composites having volume ratio of banana and sisal 3 : 1. As the ratio of banana is increased in the hybrid composite, the tensile strength is increased, while the ratio of sisal is increased, the impact strength is increased. Tensile and flexural properties show a positive hybrid effect, while impact performance showed a negative hybrid effect. Keeping the volume fraction at 0.40 and volume ratio of banana and sisal at 1 : 1, different layering patterns such as trilayer (banana/sisal/banana and sisal/banana/sisal), and bilayer (banana/sisal) composites were also studied. Flexural and impact properties were higher in bilayer composites. Tensile strength was maximum in banana/sisal/banana composite. Experimental and theoretical tensile properties were compared. Finally it is revealed that banana/sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites results in a positive hybrid effect in tensile and flexural properties. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors acknowledge the financial support of the University Grants Commission. We are also grateful to Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment Department for their financial grant. REFERENCES
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