MADHAV INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

AND SCIENCE, GWALIOR (M.P.)

STUDY REPORT ON BANANA FIBRE-REINFORCED EPOXY

COMPOSITES

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Dr. C.S.Malvi Chandra Shekhar
(0901AU181016)
Prof. Kaustubh Khot Mohit Singhal
(0901AU181036)
Sahil Chauhan (0901AU193D04)
 Abstract
In recent decades, engineering applications involving polymer composites
reinforced with natural fibers have increased significantly due to the
advantages not only of favorable composite properties but also of fiber
durability and environmental friendly nature. In the present work composites
reinforced with upto 20 wt% fabric made of banana, a relatively known natural
fiber from India. These banana fibers were cut into a similar average length of
10 and 20 mm and two sets of bio-composites were prepared by compression
molding process with varying weight percentage of epoxy resin by 0, 5, 10, 15
and 20%. Experimental results showed tensile, flexural and impact strength of
bio-composites with up to 15 wt% has increased compared with neat epoxy.
However, the mechanical strength has decreased above 15 wt% fiber
reinforcement. This is a study of thermogravmetric analysis (TGA) that banana
fiber-reinforced composites have high thermal stability up to 220 ºC.
 Introduction
The material having two or more distinct constituent raw materials is considered
as a composite material. Such materials consist of one or more discontinuous
phase which is embedded in a continuous phase. The discontinuous phase is
harder and stronger than the continuous phase which is called the reinforcement
phase and the continuous phase is called matrix. This phase in the composite is
the basic structure that provides strength and tenacity. Based on the
reinforcement used, composites are broadly termed as synthetic fiber (glass,
carbon, Kevlar, boron, graphite, etc.) and natural fiber (sisal, hemp, flax,
bamboo, jute, etc.) reinforced composites. The composites are classified based
on the shape and form of the reinforcement into two types namely, particle-
reinforced and fibre-reinforced composites. Composites in which reinforcement
is of particle nature is called particle-reinforced composites. Particle is non-
fibrous and generally has no long dimension. Particles are not very useful in
improving the fracture resistance; however, they improve the stiffness of the
composite to some extent.
In fibre- reinforced composites, the fibres are characterized by its large length
when compared to its cross-sectional dimensions. They are embedded in a
matrix material to form fibrous composites. The matrix helps to bind the fibres
together and to transfer the load and hence stresses to the reinforcement fibres.
Matrix also protects the reinforcement against weathering and damage due to
handling. Certain advantages like lower cost, low density, adequate mechanical
properties, and local availability have made the natural fibers as the promising
reinforcement in polymeric composites. Natural fibers in composites offer
advantages such as decreasing the dependence on non-renewable material
sources and lower environment degradation. Increased fuel economy and
emission norms in automotive applications necessitate many light-weight parts
which can be implemented by making use of such natural fiber reinforced
polymer composites. Based on the source of the vegetation from which they are
extracted, natural fibers are classified as bast, leaf and fruit fibers. Flax, kenaf,
hemp jute, henequin, bamboo are popular bast fibers and pineapple, sisal, areca,
date palm are the leaf fibers whereas coir, cotton, banana are some of the most
prominently used fruit fibers as reinforcement in composites. The main
drawback of the natural fiber composites is their high moisture absorption
tendencies and poor interfacial interaction with the polymer matrix. Such
deficiencies can be improved with various surface treatment methods.
 Method of Preparations

REQUIRED MATERIALS
ARE:
 BANANA FIBRES
 RESINS
 HARDENER
 FILLERS
 RELEASING AGENTS
Banana Fibre extraction process:
Steps involved are:
STEP 1
 The Banana fibre which is obtained from the banana plant firstly sun dried and
then dried in oven to remove water content present in the fibres.
 STEP 2

 When it become dry convert them into threads and make mat like structure by
align them horizontally and vertically over a cardboard
 STEP 3

 Slowly poured the matrix mixture with their respective value into the mold after
proper mixing with the help of simple mechanical stirring.
 Compositions of materials are:
1. Resins(Polyester)-60%
2. Hardener(Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide)-10%
3. Filler (Silicon powder)-30%
 STEP 4
Releasing agent is used on the mold sheet which help to remove the composite from the mold
 STEP 5
Heat the mold at 30°C for approx. 24 hours with a constant load is gradually applied on it.
 STEP 6
After curing is done, taken out the specimen from the mold
 Properties of Banana Fibres::
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES :-
• BANANA FIBRE IS 100% NATURAL , BIO-
DEGREDABLE , AND NON TOXIC FOR
ENVIRONMENT.
• IT CONTAINS CELLULOSE, HEMICELLULOSE,
AND LIGNIN.
• IT IS ONE OF THE MOST STRONGEST
NATURALLY OCCURRING FIBRE.
• IT IS DURABLE AND LIGHT IN WEIGHT.
• IT IS SIMILAR TO BAMBOO FIBRE AND IT'S
SPINNING ABILITY AND FINENESS IS ALSO
HIGH.
• IT ABSORBS MOISTURE SOON AND ALSO
RELEASES.
• IT HAS SMALLER ELONGATION.
• IT CAN BE SPUN THROUGH ALL THE METHODS
OF SPINNING INCLUDING ( RING SPINNING ,
BAST FIBRE SPINNING , OPEN-END SPINNING )
Comparison chart
 Mechanical Properties

Tensile Strength -

 It is defined as the material

ability to bear external
loading and how much it can
deform.
 The tensile strength of
banana fiber reinforced
composites increases with
increase in fiber length and
loading.
 Testing done on UTM.
 Flexural Strength:-

 As fiber length
increases, flexural
strength of the fabricated
composites first
increases up to10 mm
length and then
decreases.
 When fiber loading
increase then flexural
strength increase up to
fiber loading 15% then
decreases.
 Testing done on UTM.
 Impact Strength :-

 The impact energy is increases with

increase in fiber length. It also
show that the impact energy
increases with increases in fiber
loading.

 The maximum impact energy

absorbed by the material 15 mm
length of fiber and 20% fiber
content.
 Hardness Strength:-

 The hardness value

increases with increase
in fiber length and it is
maximum at 10 mm
fiber length.

 However, with increase

of fiber loading
hardness value increases
up to fiber loading 15%
then the hardness value
decreases
Applications in different industries:

 Textile Industry
 Carry Bags
 Nursery Pouches
 Doormats
 Windows Manufacturing
 Towels, Napkins
Automotive industry
Advantages:

 Environment friendly
 Fully bio-degradable
 Non –toxic
 Easy to handle
 Non abrasive during processes and use
 Low density
 Compostable
 Source of income for rural/agricultural community
 Good insulation against heat and noise
 Renewable , abundant and continuous supply of raw
 Low cost
 FREE FROM HEALTH HAZARDS (CAUSE NO SKIN IRRITATIONS)
 ACCEPTABLE SPECIFIC STRENGTH PROPERTIES
 HIGH TOUGHNESS
 GOOD THERMAL PROPERTY
 REDUCED TOOL WEAR
 EASE OF SEPARATION.
CONCLUSION
• FROM PAST 25 YEARS BANANA FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES RESEARCH
WERE OBSERVED AND DISCUSSED THAT THIS PREDOMINANTLY PLAY A VITAL
ROLE IN REPLACING THE CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS.
• IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT THE BANANA FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES
IN THE POLYMER MEDIUM SHOWS AN EXCELLENT IMPROVEMENT IN THE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES SUCH AS TENSILE, FLEXURAL AND IMPACT
STRENGTH.
• AN APPROXIMATE 50% INCREASE IN THE STRENGTH HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN
ALL THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES DURING THE REVIEW.
• AMONG THE VARIOUS WEIGHT PERCENTAGES OF BANANA FIBER IT WAS
NOTED THAT THE BANANA FIBER BETWEEN 30 AND 40%WT SHOWS BETTER
PERFORMANCE. THE SAME BE MENTIONED AND REPORTED IN EARLIER
REVIEWS AND RESEARCHES.
• THE BANANA FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES ALSO POSSESS
BETTER THERMAL STABILITY WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER NATURAL
FIBER WHICH WIDENS ITS APPLICATION IN THERMAL FIELDS AS A
TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE ONE
• In general natural fiber has a high moisture absorption capability and banana
fiber not a exception from that the addition of banana fiber with polymers
produces an excellent moisture resistance property.
• In their flammability and electrical resistance properties of the banana fiber
composites also give better satisfying results.
• Multiple works has been done on the same by using banana fiber with sisal, ,
jute, coir and glass fibers with varying weight percentages,
References:

 https://images.app.goo.gl/XAUt1uavcfuVSL5S9
 https://images.app.goo.gl/jFYf8MVipA7VP3RY6
 https://images.app.goo.gl/v4enFi7UTQinDJEK7
 A brief review on mechanical and thermal properties of banana fiber based hybrid
components by p . Sivaranjana , v . arumugaprabu
 https://www.slideshare.net/LiboYan1/improving-the-mechanical-properties-of-natural-fi
bre-fabric-reinforced-epoxy-composites-by-alkali-treatment
 Reinforced Epoxy Composites Under Dry
 and Wet Reciprocating Sliding, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing,
 Shankar P. S., Reddy K.T., Sekhar V. C., Mechanical Performance and Analysis of
 Banana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites, International Journal of Recent Trends in
 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/
10.1080/23311916.2019.1708644#:~:text=Bagasse%20fiber
%20which%20is%20abundantly,adhesion%20with%20the
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 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40735-020-00357-
8#:~:text=The%20research%20of%20Banana%20Fiber,still
%20opens%20to%20be%20developed.&text=The%20alkali
%2Dtreated%20bamboo%20fiber,ductility%20compared%20to
%20untreated%20ones
Thankyou