The Combined Effect of Banana Fiber and Fly Ash Reinforcements on the Mechanical Behavior of Polyester Composites

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of banana fiber (BA) reinforced polymer composites filled with fly ash (FA) is analyzed in this present investigation. Polyester matrix is used to produce composites with 30% of banana fiber volume and fly ash with three separate volume fractions (1%, 3% & 5%). The failure mechanisms were identified through a scanning electron microscope using the fractured surfaces of the specimen after mechanical testing. The addition of 3% vol of fly ash results in an increase in the tensile, flexural, and impact strength of 46.3%, 24%, and 88.4% when compared with the banana fiber composites without fly ash (BAP). 5% vol of higher fly ash addition indicates a drop in the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of approximately 31.4%, 9.38%, and 30.61% when compared to 3% vol of fly ash added composites, respectively. Owing to weak interfacial bonding caused by the agglomeration of fillers, the higher filler loading results in subdued mechanical properties. With the help of SEM fractography, the parameters, including poor interfacial adhesion, defective surfaces, and fractures, were described.

Keywords

• banana fiber
• fly ash
• mechanical properties
• fractography
• polymer matrix composites
• natural fiber composites