Experimental Investigation of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Banana and Sugar Palm Fibers

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 02 | Page : 195 205
    By

    Shekhar Rahane,

  • Krupal Pawar,

  • Prafull Dhole,

  • Vishwajit Bhagwat,

  • Balaprasad Kurpatwar,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Nutan Maharashtra Institute of Engineering and Technology, SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Karjule Harya, SPPU, Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Automation & Robotics, MGM, College of Engineering, Nanded, Maharashtra, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, TSSM’s Bhivarabai Sawant College of Engineering & Research, Polytechnic, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adsul Technical Campus, SPPU, Chas, Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

This paper is a research study that examines the mechanical and morphological properties of hybrid natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites manufactured from banana fibers (BF) and sugar palm fibers (SPF). Because the use of sustainable, lightweight, and cost effective materials in engineering continues to grow, many engineers are looking at the possibility of utilizing natural fiber reinforced polymer composites as alternatives to traditional man-made fiber composites. Hybrid composite laminate samples were produced by hand lay-up technique and tested to determine how the combined effects of BF length (6mm, 12mm, 18mm) and SPF weight ratio affect the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance were determined according to ASTM D638, ASTM D790, and ASTM D256 respectively to provide consistent and reliable test data. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) testing was performed to evaluate the fracture surface and microstructure of each sample. The SEM images indicated stronger fiber-matrix interfacial bonding than observed in either individual BF or SPF samples, and less fiber pullout was observed in the hybrid samples, which indicates better stress transfer efficiencies. It was demonstrated through this study that the banana/sugar palm hybrid composite will have greater mechanical properties than its individual BF and SPF counterparts. The optimal hybrid configuration resulted in a tensile strength of approximately 25MPa and a flexural strength of approximately 58MPa, which represents a 30-40% increase in these properties over neat epoxy resin. The results indicate the synergistic effect of hybridizing banana and sugar palm fibers and provides evidence that banana-sugar palm hybrid composites have potential for manufacturing sustainable lightweight structural components in various engineering applications such as automotive, construction, and packaging.

Keywords: Banana fiber composite, Sugar palm fiber, Hybrid composite, Flexural strength, Tensile strength, Impact strength, Scanning electron microscopy, Hand lay-up, Epoxy matrix.

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer & Composites ]

How to cite this article:
Shekhar Rahane, Krupal Pawar, Prafull Dhole, Vishwajit Bhagwat, Balaprasad Kurpatwar. Experimental Investigation of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Banana and Sugar Palm Fibers. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):195-205.
How to cite this URL:
Shekhar Rahane, Krupal Pawar, Prafull Dhole, Vishwajit Bhagwat, Balaprasad Kurpatwar. Experimental Investigation of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Banana and Sugar Palm Fibers. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):195-205. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239963


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Issue 02
Received 17/03/2026
Accepted 25/03/2026
Published 11/04/2026
Publication Time 25 Days
2

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