Analysis of mechanical behaviour of banana cotton woven fabric vinyl ester composites

Abstract

Due to the increasing environmental challenges like pollution, land fills, rapid depletion of natural resources vitalised way for hunting an alternate source for synthetic fibres. Agricultural wastes which were thrown away uselessly after the plantain cultivation can provide an ideal substitute which replace many synthetic fibres in structural applications. The most important criteria is the effective usages of the natural fibres in composite materials for their multi-functionality, by the combination of suitable resin matrix. In view of all these aspects banana fibres, considering as waste from pseudostems of plant family Musaceae and vinyl ester, a moderate effective resin with suitable properties were selected and subjected to research work. The effect of different forms (fibre, fabric) of banana fibres on mechanical properties of the composites were studied for the upgraded performances. newlineThe present study is aimed to analyse the mechanical properties of banana fibre and banana cotton fabric composites. The composite laminates were prepared by random distribution of Raw Banana Fibres (RBF) and alkali treated fibres separately with the cut lengths of 2,4,6,8 and 10 mm with vinyl ester matrix by compression moulding machine. Comparison of mechanical properties of treated composites with untreated one were observed. Treated fibre composites shows increased mechanical properties. SEM images confirms the surface clearance due to the effect of alkali treatment on fibres. This work also aims to analyse the impact of various weave patterns of RBF. Handloom woven structures (plain, twill, sateen and basket) of banana-cotton hybrid fabrics were made into composite laminates with vinyl ester resin using compression moulding machine. The layers were stacked alternatively with warp and weft ways to distribute evenly using hand layup technique. Mechanical properties were found to be superior for plain woven fabric and was used for further process in carrying out the research work. newline newline newline