Statistical design of polymeric composites reinforced with banana fibres and silica microparticles

Abstract

The study describes a design of experiment analysis performed on hybrid polymeric composites reinforced with unidirectional banana fibres and silica microparticles. Maleic anhydride was also evaluated as a chemical additive to improve the adhesion between phases. A full factorial design (2 2 3 1 ) and the analyses of variance were performed to identify the significance of the microstructure constituents against different mechanical and physical properties in a total population of 120 biocomposites samples. The microstructure parameters considered were fibre volume fraction (30% and 50%), silica addition (0%, 20 wt% and 33 wt%) and maleic anhydride addition (0% and 2 wt%). The mechanical and physical properties of the composite considered as factorial and analyses of variance responses were the apparent density, apparent porosity, water absorption, modulus of elasticity and mechanical strength under tensile and flexural loading. The design of experiment analysis has shown that the volume fraction of the fibres significantly affects all responses, with the composite made from 30% of banana fibres exhibiting superior mechanical strength and modulus of elasticity. While the addition of silica has featured a statistically noticeable contribution to the porosity and the water absorption, the presence of the particles did not provide any significant enhancement to the composites mechanical strength. Maleic anhydride showed a significant contribution to the apparent density, water absorption and flexural modulus, not improving the adhesion between phases, with a consequent decrease of the Young's modulus and increase of the water absorption within the composites.

Nanoclay infused banana fiber and its effects on mechanical and thermal properties of composites

“…The statistical variation of properties within and among the banana fiber was discussed by several authors. 29,30 In treated fibers, the circular morphology of lumen structure (Figure 3b and c) was affected leading to an irregular lumen cross-section. This suggests the chemical treatment modifies the morphology and structure of the fibers.…”

Hybrid composites reinforced with short sisal fibres and micro ceramic particles

“…Significant improvements on the mechanical performance of polymeric composites have been reported when ceramic particle inclusions were combined with the matrix phase [7][8][9][10][11][12]. CAO and CAMERON [7] have investigated the effect of silica particle inclusions on the impact resistance of glass fibre composites made with epoxy resin.…”

“…This effect depends not only on the amount, but also on the sizes and densities of the particles, i.e. microparticles has been investigated up to 33wt% [7][8][9], while nano-sized particles has been considered up to 5wt% [12][13].…”

Cold-Pressed Hybrid Composites Reinforced With Coir Fibres and Cement Particles: A Statistical Approach

“…In addition, the thermal stability and stiffness of fibre-reinforced composites improve upon the incorporation of a second rigid particulate phase, such as SiO2 micro-or nanoparticles, glass, Al2O3, Mg(OH)2, CaCO3 and carbon nanotubes [18][19][20]. According to Silva et al [21], when the composite material is under stress, the crack propagation is prevented across the locations where the particles are concentrated due to their high strength. Therefore, additional stress is required for the crack propagation through the fibre-particle or particle-matrix interfaces, which increases the mechanical strength of the composites.…”