Influence of Stacking Sequence on Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Banana-Pineapple Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

In the present era, natural fiber composites are replacing synthetic fibers because of their wide range of advantages. The present research concerns the manufacturing and characterization of hybrid composites containing banana/pineapple fibers with different stacking sequences produced by the hand layout process. Manufactured stacking sequences were tested for (tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear) strength, Shore D hardness, flammability and water absorption properties. The thermal properties of the manufactured composites have been analyzed using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study the tensile-fractured surface. The results showed that the tensile strength, flexural and impact strength increased when the stacking sequence was Pineapple-Banana-Pineapple-Banana. The hybrid composites with Pineapple-Pineapple- Pineapple-Pineapple have better interlaminar properties and high thermal resistance. The hybrid composite made up of Banana-Banana- Banana-Banana has improved shore D hardness. The image obtained from the SEM studies was also in correlation with the experimental results. It can be extended to light load conditions for automotive and building equipment.