Thermo-mechanical and tribological characterization of pineapple fiber reinforced epoxy-silicone hybrid composites with waste rubber and banana powder fillers

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials for automotive and semi-structural applications. This study develops novel hybrid laminates combining pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) with glass fiber in an epoxy-silicone matrix system incorporating waste rubber particles and banana powder as secondary fillers. Six laminate configurations (Pi1–Pi6) were fabricated using hand lay-up technique with varying stacking sequences. Thermo-mechanical properties were evaluated using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) testing. Tribological behaviour was assessed via pin-on-disc wear testing (ASTM G99), and microstructural features were examined using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Among the samples Pi2 (epoxy-silicone blend) exhibited the highest HDT (78.8°C) and storage modulus (20.40 GPa), indicating superior thermal stability and stiffness. Pi6 (epoxy-silicone with banana powder) demonstrated the lowest wear loss (0.002 g) and coefficient of friction (0.151), showing excellent tribological performance. FESEM analysis revealed effective fiber-matrix bonding with multiple energy dissipation mechanisms including fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, and crack deflection. The combination of natural pineapple fiber, recycled rubber, and banana powder fillers in epoxy-silicone matrices produces composites suitable for semi-structural automotive applications, offering both performance benefits and environmental sustainability through waste valorization.