Mechanical and Vibrational Property Evaluation of Banana Fiber Epoxy Sandwich Composite with Steel Wire Mesh Core

• Published in: Journal of natural fibers Vol. 19; no. 11; pp. 4024 - 4037
• Main Authors: Loganathan, Thozhur, Vinoth Kumar, K., Ayyappa, K., Mahendran, G., Venkatachalam, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02-11-2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Austenitic stainless steels; banana fiber; Bearing strength; Carrying capacity; Composite structures; Damping; Fiber orientation; Hand lay-up; Load carrying capacity; Load transfer; Mechanical properties; mechanical testing; Modal analysis; modal analysis and ASTM; Resonant frequencies; Sandwich composite; Skin; Steel wire; steel wire mesh; Stiffness; Vibration; Vibration analysis; Wire cloth; 关键词: 夹层复合材料; 机械试验; 模态分析与ASTM; 钢丝网; 香蕉纤维
• ISSN: 1544-0478; 1544-046X
• DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2020.1848744

This work analyzed the mechanical and vibration characteristic of the banana fiber sandwich layer with core AISI 304 steel wire mesh (WM). The following specimen configurations were prepared by hand lay-up method by varying fiber orientation in the skin layer: S = 0/0/0/0, S1 = 0/0/WM/0/0, S2 = 0/90/WM/90/0, S3 = 0/45/WM/-45/0 and S4 = 0/30/WM/60/0. The primary mechanical properties of the sandwich composite specimens were obtained by conducting Tensile, Flexural, and Impact strengths as per ASTM standards, whereas secondary vibration characteristics by experimental modal analysis. The presence of core WM enhances the primary properties especially in S1 attributed to the 0° fiber orientation with high load carrying capacity, natural frequency (Mode I, II), and stiffness. Whereas the specimen with angular fiber orientation (S2, S3, S4) in the skin layer exhibits higher damping showcasing their ability to dissipate energy. Specimen 'S3ʹ acts as a performance change over with 45/-45 fiber in the skin layer. Morphology study of a test of a specimen with 'WM' shows the participation of matrix, banana fiber, and WM in load transfer mechanism with varied failure pattern. Hence, this type of composite structure can be preferred to use in structural and automobile applications by properly orienting the fiber in the skin layer.