Properties of Banana and Pandanus Woven Fabric Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Abstract

The properties of unsaturated polyester reinforced with banana and pandanus woven fabric were studied. Both of the composite systems were fabricated by vacuum bagging technique. Flexural, impact, and water absorption properties were investigated as a function of total fiber volume fraction. It is observed that the flexural and impact properties of both natural fiber composites are higher than pure polyester. Banana woven composites exhibit higher flexural and impact properties due to the difference structure in cross section, and higher cellulose content compared to that of pandanus woven composites. In both woven systems, the flexural modulus and strength increased with increase in fiber volume fraction. However above 10 and 15 vol. fraction of fibers, the flexural and impact properties of these two woven composite systems decreased due to insufficient resin, respectively. Water absorption test showed that woven pandanus fabric composites increased the overall water uptake than woven banana fabric composites, this might be due to higher hemicellulose content and the defects existed in the composite system.