Influence of stacking sequence and fiber treatment on mechanical properties of carbon-jute-banana reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites have two or more reinforcement materials with tailored properties. This work deals with the development and investigation of mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact behaviors of five layered carbon-jute-banana fiber reinforced composite which is a novel epoxy hybrid composite. Six different hybrid composites in a woven mat with varying stacking sequences of symmetrical laminates were fabricated through conventional hand lay-up method. The mechanical properties were evaluated and compared between them under the condition of chemically treated fibers and untreated fibers. The morphology of the fractured surfaces of the hybrid composites was evaluated using the scanning electron microscope. Jute and banana fiber surfaces were modified by NaOH solution was improved the adhesion between reinforcement and matrix. Results shown the highest mechanical properties were observed for a composite of stacking sequence of carbon–jute–jute–jute–carbon, whereas the lowest values were observed for banana–banana–banana–banana–banana layered composite.

Keywords:

• Natural fiber
• synthetic fiber
• layer sequence and mechanical properties

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. R. Rangarajan, Chairman, Veltech R&D Institute of Science and Technology, India for the motivation to publish this research work. The experiments and SEM analysis of the present study were carried out in Anna University College of Engg, Chennai, India.