The Effect of Banana Stem Fiber Mixtures on Mechanical and Physical Properties Using a Polyester and Vinylester Blend Matrix
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51601/ijse.v6i2.750Abstract
Natural fiber-reinforced composites continue to be developed as lightweight, economical, and environmentally friendly alternatives to metals and synthetic composites. One natural fiber with strong potential is banana stem fiber, which is easily obtained and helps reduce environmental waste. This study aims to determine the effect of adding banana stem fiber on the mechanical and physical properties of a composite using a mixed matrix of polyester resin (70%) and vinylester resin (30%). The composites were fabricated using the hand lay-up method with fiber mass variations of 0, 2, 5, 7, and 12 grams, and were subsequently tested for impact strength according to the ASTM D6110 standard. The results show that the addition of banana stem fiber significantly increased the impact strength of the composite. The specimen without fiber (0 grams) produced the lowest absorbed energy and impact strength values, while the 12-gram fiber variation showed the best performance, with an average absorbed energy of 11.66 Joules and the highest impact strength of 0.090 J/mm². Variations in values among specimens of the same composition are presumed to result from the hand lay-up fabrication process, such as uneven fiber distribution and the formation of voids. Overall, the composite with 12 grams of banana stem fiber in a 70% polyester–30% vinylester matrix was identified as the best composition in this study.
Downloads
References
[1] F. Prihatna Suhada, A. Ainur Rosidah, and V. Ayu Setyowati, “The Influence of Fiber Orientation and Treatment Variation of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites on Tensile Strength and Toughness.”
[2] E. Rosmawatiet al., “The Effect of Filler Volume Fraction Variation on Mechanical Properties of Banana Stem Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites,” Nurul Huda University JIPFRI, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 16–23, doi: 10.30599/jipfri.v9i1.4170.
[3] K. Boimau, “The Effect of Fiber Orientation on Tensile Properties of Banana Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites”, [Online]. Available: http://ejournal-fst-unc.com/index.php/LJTMU
[4] Ardhi Harist Hirosana, Sri Hastuti, and R. Faiz Listyanda, “The Effect of Weaving Angle on Banana Stem Fiber Reinforced Composites with Unsaturated Polyester Matrix,”Mars: Journal of Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical and Computer Engineering, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 69–75, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.61132/mars.v3i2.761.
[5] M. Madgule, P. Deshmukh, K. Perveen, MO Qamar, A. Razak, and AW Wodajo, "Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of novel polymer hybrid composite with reinforcement of banana fiber and sugarcane bagasse powder,"Advances in Mechanical Engineering, vol. 15, no. 10, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1177/16878132231203810.
[6] Y. Gangurde, K. Deshmukh, S. Dhutre, D. Jangam, and SB Year, “A Comprehensive Review Article on Natural Fiber Polymer Composites.”
[7] S.-J. Park and M.-K. Seo, “Types of Composites,” Interface Science and Technology, vol. 18, pp. 501–629, Jan. 2011, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-375049-5.00007-4.
[8] J. Yao, Z. Zhou, and H. Zhou, “Polymer Matrix Composites,” pp. 113–137, Jan. 2019, doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-6068-8_5.
[9] H. Rozaki Yudha, Z. Abadi, and A. Arafat, “Analysis of Thermal Stability and Tensile Strength of Fiber Composites Using Unsaturated Polyester Resin Reinforced by Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber, Pineapple Leaf Fiber, and Banana Stem Fiber.”
[10] JH Kumar, S. Prabhakaran, KA Pandi, and KN Karthick, “Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Banana Fiber Reinforced Vinyl Ester Resin Composites,” pp. 1079–1093, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-8319-3_107.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 M Rifki ALKindi, Rahmat Fajrul, Murdani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
