Experimental Investigation of Flexural Strength of Banana Fiber Reinforced Composites

Abstract

The present generation widely makes use of en number of composites in the field of materials technology, with a very high performance and costs appropriate for the applications such as structural and automotives etc. Fiber reinforced composites are those composites that are called as the oldest and frequently used composite materials, in which Banana fibers are the most common ones. Nowadays consciousness and environmental awareness about using natural fibers as a serious alternative has been keep on increasing globally. And also in these present days natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are being widely used in various engineering applications. Natural fibers such as jute, sisal, palm, coir and banana are the most commonly used reinforcements. In vinyl ester resin matrix banana fibers have been used as reinforcement. This work deals with the study of effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on fibers in addition with alumina (Al2O3) particulate. It is seen that the flexural strength value of UT, UT+ Al2O3, T+ Al2O3 has increased with increase in the fiber content.