IRO Journals
Recent Research Reviews Journal

Development and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Banana–Glass Fibre Epoxy Composites

Open Access
Published: 13 June, 2026
Pages: 135-155
  • Shanmugasundaram S G. , Shanmugasundaram S G.
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Meshak M. , Meshak M.
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Muthu Chellappa S. , Muthu Chellappa S.
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
  • Sivaram A. Sivaram A.
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
    Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V V College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai, Thoothukudi, India
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How to Cite

S G., Shanmugasundaram, Meshak M., Muthu Chellappa S., and Sivaram A. 2026. “Development and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Hybrid Banana–Glass Fibre Epoxy Composites”. Recent Research Reviews Journal 5 (1): 135-55. https://doi.org/10.36548/rrrj.2026.1.009.
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Keywords

Banana Fibre
Glass Fibre
Hybrid Composite
Epoxy Matrix
Mechanical Properties
Natural Fibre Composites
Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract

Reinforcing polymer matrices with plant-based fibres is a long-standing engineering method that has been used for many millennia. With the worldwide push toward sustainable production, its importance has grown dramatically. In this work, glass and banana fibres are used as co-reinforcements in an epoxy matrix created by the hand lay-up process to create hybrid polymer matrix composites. Specimens were produced at four distinct fibre weight fractions (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) and subjected to a methodical mechanical characterisation program that comprised tensile testing, Rockwell hardness evaluation, and non-destructive dye penetrant analysis. Alkali surface treatment was applied to the fibres before composite manufacture to enhance interfacial compatibility with the epoxy system. According to the results of the tensile test, strength improved gradually as the percentage of fibre increased, culminating at 14.91 N/mm² at 30% fibre loading as opposed to 10.26 N/mm² for the unreinforced epoxy baseline. The percentage of fibre and hardness metrics showed a slight adverse relationship. Furthermore, the behaviour of stress, strain, and deformation was confirmed using finite element analysis. The resulting composite is evaluated as a possible lightweight material for the manufacture of car seat shells and secondary structural components.

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