Experimental evaluation of microstructural and mechanical properties of Abaca/epoxy composite

Natural fibre reinforced composites (NFRCs) are known to have potential structural and non-structural applications in automobile industries. The mechanical properties documented in literature have supported the potentiality of the materials in such applications. The objective of this work was to evaluate the mechanical properties of abaca/epoxy reinforced composite and understand the modes of failures from fractured surfaces. Abaca (a banana family tree) fibre processing is well-established as it is used in manufacture of garments in Asia. The composite specimens [45/0/0/45] were fabricated by hand-layup method and the mechanical tests (Tensile, Compression and Flexural) according to ASTM D standards. It was observed that, on an average, the composite failed at around 302 MPa in tensile loading, 0.083 MPa in compression load and 37.15 MPa in flexural load. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) based interpretations of the failure modes are presented alongside all test results for interpretations on most likely mode of failure.