Impact Damage Resistance and Post-Impact Tolerance of Optimum Banana-Pseudo-Stem-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Sandwich Structures

Abstract

Banana fiber has a high potential for use in fiber composite structures due to its promise as a polymer reinforcement. However, it has poor bonding characteristics with the matrixes due to hydrophobic–hydrophilic incompatibility, inconsistency in blending weight ratio, and fiber length instability. In this study, the optimal conditions for a banana/epoxy composite as determined previously were used to fabricate a sandwich structure where carbon/Kevlar twill plies acted as the skins. The structure was evaluated based on two experimental tests: low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests. Here, the synthetic fiber including Kevlar, carbon, and glass sandwich structures were also tested for comparison purposes. In general, the results showed a low peak load and larger damage area in the optimal banana/epoxy structures. The impact damage area, as characterized by the dye penetration, increased with increasing impact energy. The optimal banana composite and synthetic fiber systems were proven to offer a similar residual strength and normalized strength when higher impact energies were applied. Delamination and fracture behavior were dominant in the optimal banana structures subjected to CAI testing. Finally, optimization of the compounding parameters of the optimal banana fibers improved the impact and CAI properties of the structure, making them comparable to those of synthetic sandwich composites.

Mercerization Optimization of Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composite Structures Using a Box–Behnken Design

“…Figure 2 f shows the short fiber was obtained from this shaker when operated at 275 rpm for 45 min. Then, the epoxy-resin (EpoxAmite™, Smooth-On Inc., Pennsylvania, PA, USA) matrix with fibers was gradually mixed with fiber at 29.86 (wt.%) of fiber loading [ 20 ]. Figure 2 g illustrates the dumbbell-shaped specimens adhered to the ASTM D638 standard [ 21 ] that were cured overnight using a rigid steel mold.…”

Recent Progress of Rice Husk Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review

“…Malaysia is surrounded by the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, and enjoys typical tropical weather, with proximity to water, which gives this country a quite humid, hot [ 6 ], and rainy climate throughout the year, with a temperature range from a mild 20 to 30 °C [ 7 ]. It is located near the equator and blessed with natural resources, such as crop biomass [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], hydro, and solar power. In the 1990s, roughly 4.2 million tonnes of vegetable residue and 2.3 million tonnes of livestock waste were produced in Peninsular Malaysia [ 11 ].…”

Physicomechanical Properties of Rice Husk/Coco Peat Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend Composites

“…The value of the impact properties significantly increased with the increase of RH from 0 wt.% to 15 wt.%. Further increase in the proportion of biomass in the biocomposite reduced the impact strength due to delamination and insufficient matrix [ 36 ] to proper adhesion, and resulting in decreased strength. The overall impact properties of the blend composite can be improved by chemical coupling and surface modification.…”