Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Woven Jute/Banana Hybrid Composites

This work aims to predict the mechanical properties of woven jute/banana hybrid composite. Woven fabrics are arranged in three layers of different sequence. Resin used in this work is Epoxy LY556 with hardener HY951.Composite specimen are prepared by hand-layup techniques. The effect of layering sequence on the mechanical properties namely tensile, flexural and impact was analysed. It is found that the tensile and flexural strength of hybrid composite (Banana/Jute/Banana) is higher than that of individual composites. Similarly, the impact strength of Jute/Banana/Jute hybrid composite is better than other types of composite. It is found that the moisture absorption of woven banana fiber composite is lesser than the hybrid composite. Fractography study of the fractured specimen is carried out using scanning electron microscope to analyse the fracture behaviour of the hybrid composite.