Experimental and Microstructural Evaluation on Mechanical Properties of Abaca/Epoxy Reinforced Composites

Natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRCs) are known to have potential structural and non-structural applications in automobile industries. The mechanical properties documented in the literature have supported the potentiality of the materials in such applications. The objective of this work was to evaluate the mechanical properties of abaca/epoxy reinforced composite and understand the modes of failures from fractured surfaces. Abaca (a banana family tree) fiber processing is well-established as it is used in the manufacture of garments in Asia. The composite specimens [45^o/0^o/0^o/45^o] were fabricated by the hand-layup method and the mechanical tests (Tensile, Compression, and Flexural) according to ASTM D standards. It was observed that, on average, the composite failed at around 32 MPa in tensile loading, 0.083 MPa in compression load, and 37.15 MPa in flexural load. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) based interpretations of the failure modes are presented alongside all test results for interpretations on the most likely mode of failure.