Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Banana Fiber-Epoxy Biocomposites

This research work presents the fabrication and characterization of a biocomposite reinforced with banana fiber, aimed at exploring sustainable alternatives for composite materials. Epoxy resin was used as the matrix material, and the biocomposites were prepared using the hand lay-up technique. Various compositions of fiber and matrix were used to evaluate the mechanical performance of the developed biocomposites. To enhance the bonding between the fibers and the matrix, the banana fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). A comparative study was carried out between biocomposites reinforced with treated and untreated banana fibers. The results indicated that the alkali treatment significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the biocomposites. Fibers treated with 0.5% NaOH solution exhibited improved tensile, compressive, flexural, impact strength, and Shore hardness compared to untreated fibers. It was also observed that excessive fiber content beyond 20% adversely affected the mechanical properties, with biocomposites containing 30% banana fibers showing reduced strength and hardness. Therefore, 20% fiber reinforcement was determined to be the optimal composition for achieving balanced mechanical performance. This study highlights the potential of using surface-treated banana fibers as reinforcement in biocomposites and provides a basis for further research into eco-friendly and sustainable material development.