Behavior of epoxy reinforced banana glass fiber hybrid composite with nanoclay interference

Abstract

Recent years, Polymer matrix hybrid composites have a greater attention in industry and research due to growing demand for versatile applications. The present work focused on the development of epoxy based hybrid nanocomposites. Nanoclay is another novel material that is widely used in the research. In this investigation, nanoclay dispersed hybrid composite materials has been studied for mechanical and wear behavior. Glass fiber and banana fiber combined epoxy laminates (EGB) were reinforced with nanoclay at different weight fractions of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% using compression moulding. The enhanced properties of the nanoclay hybrid composites were analyzed with other specimens. Water absorption character study was also conducted. Morphological study was performed using Scanning Electron Microscope. It was observed that an optimum result attained with 4 wt% nanoclay reinforced composite with an increase in tensile strength of 8.62%, flexural strength of 30.19%, and impact strength of 48.15% when compared to EGB. Further the wear resistance of 4 wt% nanoclay hybrid composite showed an increase of 19.4% than the EGB composite.