Sustainable Development of Eco-Friendly Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Banana Stem, Jute, and Borassus Flabellifer Fibers

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable materials with enhanced mechanical performance has intensified research into eco-friendly hybrid composites. This study focuses on the fabrication and evaluation of hybrid composites reinforced with banana stem, jute, and Borassus flabellifer fibers embedded in an epoxy resin (LY 556) matrix with HY 951 hardener. Unlike many previous studies, the natural fibers were used without alkaline (NaOH) treatment in order to preserve their inherent properties. Three different fiber compositions were prepared to investigate their influence on the mechanical behavior of the composites. Mechanical characterization was carried out through tensile, hardness, and impact testing, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine surface morphology and fiber matrix interactions. The results revealed that fiber composition and orientation significantly affected the overall strength and durability of the composites. Tensile testing, conducted according to ASTM D638 standards, showed that the specimen containing a higher proportion of jute fiber exhibited superior tensile strength. Hardness evaluation based on ASTM D2240 also demonstrated improved hardness performance in the same specimen compared to the others. Impact testing using the ASTM D256 Izod method confirmed the composites’ satisfactory energy absorption capability. Furthermore, SEM analysis provided detailed insights into fiber bonding and adhesion within the epoxy matrix. The findings indicate that untreated natural fiber hybrid composites can achieve promising mechanical properties, making them suitable for lightweight structural applications in sectors such as construction, automotive, and aerospace engineering. This study highlights the potential of utilizing untreated natural fibers as sustainable alternatives to synthetic reinforcements, contributing to environmental conservation and material innovation.