Effect of TiO2 nano-filler in mechanical and free vibration damping behavior of hybrid natural fiber composites

In this research, chemically synthesized titanium oxide (TiO2) nano-powder was utilized for upgrading mechanical and vibrational applications of pineapple, banana and sisal fibers. The substitution of TiO2 upto 3% enhanced the tensile, impact and flexural strength of pineapple/sisal, sisal/banana and banana/pineapple hybrid combinations. Irregular dispersion of nano-filler at 4% degrades the mechanical stability of bio-composites. Pineapple and sisal hybrid combinations with 3% TiO2 filler has the highest natural frequency due to excellent surface contact with resin/hybrid natural fibers and filter/resin interface making higher stiffness to the composites with improved natural frequency. Natural frequency and damping properties enhanced with nano-filler mixing. The factors such as frictional properties and energy dissipation at maximum strain area in the filler make increment in the damping nature of the natural composites. In the equal fiber weight% of 35, pineapple-based hybrid composites make better damping rate by the higher interface thickness and smaller diameter of pineapple fiber than other two fibers.