Citation :

Mbatha Abednigo Jabu, ID Ibraham, NZ Nkomo, MK Nemavhola, "Development and Application of Banana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites for Automotive Interior Panels," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 56-70, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I9P104

Abstract

Composites made of synthetic fibers are difficult to recycle and are not biodegradable, which causes pollution in landfills. Interior panels are not exposed to harsh conditions, and they should be recyclable after the lifespan of the vehicle. Natural fibers are gaining momentum in the automotive industry due to their acceptable mechanical properties and biodegradability. There is a need to develop sustainable materials in the automotive industry to promote lightweight, fuel-efficient, and recyclable materials. This study seeks to develop and fabricate composites using banana fibers to promote sustainable materials in the automotive industry. The banana fibers were extracted from banana stems using a blunt knife and dried in sunlight for 48 hours. They were then treated with 5% sodium hydroxide to remove impurities and improve the durability of the banana fibers, and SEM was carried out to check morphology and lateral size. The untreated banana fibers were smooth, translucent, and rounded in shape. In contrast, the banana fibers treated were rough and porous, which may enhance the interfacial bonding. The composite was fabricated using the hand lay-up method, with a banana fiber volume fraction ranging from 0.5% to 2%. The mechanical tests conducted on the fabricated composites included tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, and Leeb hardness. Water absorption and biodegradability tests were also conducted on the composites. The results showed that the maximum moisture absorption was 10.2%, obtained after 2 hours at a temperature of 80°C. The maximum Leeb hardness was 523 at a 1% volume fraction, compressive strength was 4.31 MPa at a 1% volume fraction, flexural strength was 49.54 MPa at a 0.5% volume fraction, and tensile strength was 12.98 MPa at a 2% volume fraction. The biodegradability was 3.08% at a 2% volume fraction, and water absorption was 1.99% at a 2% volume fraction. The water absorption of banana fibers is a challenge that researchers need to address, as it reduces the lifespan of composites made from natural fibers.

Keywords

Banana fibers, Composite, Sustainability, Mechanical properties, and Natural fibers.

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