A comparison of the mechanical properties of phenol formaldehyde composites reinforced with banana fibres and glass fibres

Composites were fabricated using banana fibre and glass fibre with varying fibre length and fibre loading. The analysis of tensile, flexural and impact properties of these composites revealed that the optimum length of fibre required for banana fibre and glass fibre are different in phenol formaldehyde resole matrix. Both banana fibre and glass fibre reinforced composites show a regular trend of increase in properties with fibre loading. Interfacial shear strength values obtained from single fibre pull out test reveal that the interlocking between banana fibre and phenol formaldehyde resin is much higher than that between glass and phenol formaldehyde resin. SEM studies were carried out to evaluate fibre/matrix interactions. Finally the experimental tensile strength were compared with the theoretical predictions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.