Investigating Environmental Degradation of Banana-Sisal Epoxy Composites: Physical and Thermal Properties

Authors

  • Hyginus Chidiebere Onyekachi Unegbu Department of Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria
  • Danjuma S. YAWAS Department of Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria
  • Bashar Dan-asabe Department of Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria
  • Abdulmumin Akoredeley Alabi Department of Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23960/mech.v16i1.5500

Abstract Views: 135 File Views: 64

Keywords:

Banana-sisal composites, alkali treatment, moisture absorption, thermal stability, UV resistance, natural fibers, environmental degradation

Abstract

This study evaluates the environmental degradation of banana-sisal epoxy composites, focusing on their physical and thermal properties after exposure to moisture, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and thermal aging. Alkali-treated and untreated composites were fabricated and tested for moisture absorption, tensile strength, flexural strength, thermogravimetric stability, and UV resistance. Results indicate that alkali-treated composites absorbed significantly less moisture (1.26%) than untreated composites (2.62%) after 120 hours of water immersion. Treated composites retained 87.6% of their initial tensile strength and 92% of their flexural strength, demonstrating superior mechanical performance compared to untreated composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed higher onset degradation temperatures (Tonset = 275°C) for treated composites compared to untreated composites (Tonset = 255°C) and better residual mass retention at 600°C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed a higher glass transition temperature (Tg = 93°C) for treated composites, indicating improved thermal stability. After 100 hours of UV exposure, treated composites retained 82% of their tensile strength, compared to 68% for untreated composites. These findings demonstrate that alkali-treated banana-sisal epoxy composites possess enhanced resistance to environmental degradation, making them viable for use in construction, automotive, and marine industries. Future research should aim to optimize fiber treatments, develop hybrid and nanocomposites, and conduct long-term durability and sustainability assessments.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Andrew, J. J., & Dhakal, H. N. (2022). Sustainable biobased composites for advanced applications: Recent trends and future opportunities – A critical review. Composites Part C: Open Access, 7, 100220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2021.100220

Brebu, M. (2020). Environmental degradation of plastic composites with natural fillers—A review. Polymers, 12(1), 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010166

Elfaleh, I., Abbassi, F., Habibi, M., Ahmad, F., Guedri, M., Nasri, M., & Garnie, C. (2023). A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials. Results in Engineering, 19, 101271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101271

Ganasan, V., Chohan, J. S., Subburaj, G. S., & Harika, K. (2024). Stability of banana fiber/egg shell powder-based epoxy composites. In The International Conference on Processing and Performance of Materials (ICPPM 2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2024061011

Gowda, Y. T. G., Sanjay, M. R., Parameswaranpillai, J., & Siengchin, S. (2019). Natural fibers as sustainable and renewable resource for development of eco-friendly composites: A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Materials, 6, 226. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2019.00226

Gurunathan, T., Mohanty, S., & Nayak, S. K. (2015). A review of the recent developments in biocomposites based on natural fibres and their application perspectives. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 77, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.06.007

Hamidon, M. H., Sultan, M. T. H., Ariffin, A. H., & Shah, A. U. M. (2019). Effects of fibre treatment on mechanical properties of kenaf fibre reinforced composites: A review. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 8(3), 3327-3337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.04.012

Ismail, S. O., Akpan, E., & Dhakal, H. N. (2022). Review on natural plant fibres and their hybrid composites for structural applications: Recent trends and future perspectives. Composites Part C: Open Access, 9, 100322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2022.100322

Jawaid, M., & Khalil, H. P. S. A. (2011). Cellulosic/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers, 86(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.04.043

Kalangi, C., Prabu, A., Dhanaraj, A. S., & Jani, S. P. (2022). Experimental characterization of banana fiber reinforced polyester composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 60(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.03.232

Karthi, N., Kumaresan, K., Sathish, S., & Sivanantham, G. (2020). An overview: Natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites, chemical treatments and application areas. Materials Today: Proceedings, 27(2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.01.011

Khalid, M. Y., Al Rashid, A., Ullah, Z., Arif, W., & Ahmed, W. (2021). Natural fiber reinforced composites: Sustainable materials for emerging applications. Results in Engineering, 11, 100263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100263

Neto, J. S. S., de Queiroz, H. F. M., Aguiar, R. A. A., & Banea, M. D. (2021). A review on the thermal characterisation of natural and hybrid fiber composites. Polymers, 13(24), 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244425

Rabbi, M. S., Islam, T., & Islam, G. M. S. (2021). Injection-molded natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites–A review. International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 16, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40712-021-00139-1

Rahman, M. Z. (2021). Mechanical and damping performances of flax fibre composites – A review. Composites Part C: Open Access, 4, 100081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2020.100081

Satyanarayana, K. G., Arizaga, G. G. C., & Wypych, F. (2009). Biodegradable composites based on lignocellulosic fibers—An overview. Progress in Polymer Science, 34(9), 982-1021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.002

Srinivasan, T., Suresh, G., Ramu, P., & Ram, V. G. (2020). Effect of water absorption on the mechanical behavior of banana fiber reinforced IPN natural composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 45(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.06.024

Venkateshwaran, N., & Elayaperumal, A. (2010). Banana fiber reinforced polymer composites - A review. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 29(15), 2387-2396. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684409360578

Downloads

Published

2025-04-23

How to Cite

Unegbu, H. C. O., YAWAS, D. S., Dan-asabe, B., & Alabi, A. A. (2025). Investigating Environmental Degradation of Banana-Sisal Epoxy Composites: Physical and Thermal Properties. MECHANICAL, 16(1), 203. https://doi.org/10.23960/mech.v16i1.5500

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): JURNAL MECHANICAL

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License
MECH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.