Fabrication and Testing of Epoxy Based Polymer Matrix Composite Reinforced with Banana Fibre
Abstract
The objective of this research is to find the use of natural fibres in epoxy-based polymer composites. Epoxy based polymer composite is reinforced with different proportions of banana fibres. As, epoxy based composites play an important role in the development of structural materials with light weight, In this paper, an effort has been made to improve the mechanical properties of composites by reinforcing banana fiber in the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties were analyzed in terms of flexural and compressive strength using the universal testing machine. The microhardness of the composite is calculated usingVickers's hardness tester. The test results show that reinforcing banana fiber, in matrix improves mechanical properties and microhardness of composite significantly. Hand lay-up process is used for the fabrication of composite.