The impact of ecological aging on the mechanical performance of jute-banana fibre phenol-formaldehyde hybrid composites

Abstract Natural fiber composites provide an environmentally favorable and sustainable alternative to traditional materials, greatly reducing environmental impact. Aging tests are required to evaluate the long-term mechanical performance and durability of these composites under varied situations, ensuring their dependability and safety over time. This study investigates the effects of ecological aging on jute-banana fiber reinforced phenol-formaldehyde (JBP-F) composites. The experiment involved fabricating JBP-F composites using jute and banana fibers with varying weight ratios (60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70) and subjecting them to various aging tests like long-time water resistance, accelerated water resistance, thermal aging, hydrothermal aging, soil burial test, and accelerated weathering test. The result showed that the composite with a 50:50 jute-banana fiber to resin ratio (JBP-F50) outperformed the other compositions examined in terms of aging resistance. This balanced ratio likely optimized fiber-matrix interaction, leading to superior strength and water resistance. Higher fiber content composites (like JBP-F60) absorbed more water due to weaker bonding, while lower fiber content (JBP-F30) suffered more in high temperatures. All composites experienced strength loss during thermal and hydrothermal aging due to heat and moisture cycles. JBP-F50 again showed the least degradation, possibly due to the resin’s ability to recover. In soil burial tests, biodegradation impacted strength, with higher fiber content composites (JBP-F60) degrading more. Finally, weathering tests revealed some surface deterioration due to UV radiation. However, the resin offered protection, with JBP-F30 (higher resin content) experiencing the most weight loss.JBP-F50, with its balanced fiber-resin ratio, demonstrated the best resistance to various environmental stresses, making it a promising option for sustainable composite applications.