Fabrication and experimental analysis of banana fibers reinforced polymer composite filled with Aluminium-powder filler for automotive body

Abstract

The rising concern of environmental related issues and attention given to green and clean composite materials and the need of finding realistic alternative to replace heavy metals have led researchers to find for alternative natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. The main objective of this study was to introduce new green composite materials from abundant waste resource of banana stem that have high mechanical and physical properties fiber used for automotive companies. The composite was fabricated from banana fiber filled Al-powder filler through resin-hardener mixture by simple hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding technique to obtain high mechanical and physical properties. The samples fabrication procedure carried out on fixed weight percentage of banana fibers by varying Al-powder filler weight percentage to see its effect of mechanical and physical properties. Four samples i.e., Banana fiber reinforced polymer composite (sample A), banana fiber reinforced polymer filled 5wt% of Al-powder filler (sample B), banana fiber reinforced polymer composite filled 10 wt% Al-powder filler (sample C) and banana fiber reinforced polymer composite filled 15 wt% Al-powder filler (Sample D) was produced by fixing banana fibers 10 weight ratio and 0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt% of Al-powder filler respectively. Then, tensile strength, density, micro hardiness, water absorption percentage and Microstructure were conducted according to ISO and ASTM standards. The results show that steady tensile strength increment is obtained by adding Al-powder up to 10wt%. Beyond this wt% of Al-powder tensile strength decreased. Density of composite samples filled Al-powder increases as the wt% of Al-powder increase. Microstructure of sample C exhibits superior distribution of Al-powder than other samples. As Al-powder increase the water absorption of the samples decreases. Micro structure of the fabricated samples shows best Al-powder distribution throughout the composites. Overall optimal mechanical and physical properties obtained at sample C with highest tensile stress, less water absorption, moderate density, microstructure and micro-hardness when compared to other samples.

The Rising Concern Of Environmental Related Issues And Attention Given To Green And Clean Composite Materials And The Need Of Finding Realistic Alternative To Replace Heavy Metals Have Led Researchers To Find For Alternative Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. The Main Objective Of This Study Was To Introduce New Green Composite Materials From Abundant Waste Resource Of Banana Stem That Have High Mechanical And Physical Properties Fiber Used For Automotive Companies. The Composite Was Fabricated From Banana Fiber Filled Al-Powder Filler Through Resin-Hardener Mixture By Simple Hand Lay-Up Technique Followed By Compression Molding Technique To Obtain High Mechanical And Physical Properties. The Samples Fabrication Procedure Carried Out On Fixed Weight Percentage Of Banana Fibers By Varying Al-Powder Filler Weight Percentage To See Its Effect Of Mechanical And Physical Properties. Four Samples I.E., Banana Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite (Sample A), Banana Fiber Reinforced Polymer Filled 5wt% Of Al-Powder Filler (Sample B), Banana Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Filled 10 Wt% Al-Powder Filler (Sample C) And Banana Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Filled 15 Wt% Al-Powder Filler (Sample D) Was Produced By Fixing Banana Fibers 10 Weight Ratio And 0 Wt%, 5 Wt%, 10 Wt% And 15 Wt% Of Al-Powder Filler Respectively. Then, Tensile Strength, Density, Micro Hardiness, Water Absorption Percentage And Microstructure Were Conducted According To Iso And Astm Standards. The Results Show That Steady Tensile Strength Increment Is Obtained By Adding Al-Powder Up To 10wt%. Beyond This Wt% Of Al-Powder Tensile Strength Decreased. Density Of Composite Samples Filled Al-Powder Increases As The Wt% Of Al-Powder Increase. Microstructure Of Sample C Exhibits Superior Distribution Of Al-Powder Than Other Samples. As Al-Powder Increase The Water Absorption Of The Samples Decreases. Micro Structure Of The Fabricated Samples Shows Best Al-Powder Distribution Throughout The Composites. Overall Optimal Mechanical And Physical Properties Obtained At Sample C With Highest Tensile Stress, Less Water Absorption, Moderate Density, Microstructure And Micro-Hardness When Compared To Other Samples.