Mechanical and Vibrational Property Evaluation of Banana Fiber Epoxy Sandwich Composite with Steel Wire Mesh Core

This work analyzed the mechanical and vibration characteristic of the banana fiber sandwich layer with core AISI 304 steel wire mesh (WM). The following specimen configurations were prepared by hand lay-up method by varying fiber orientation in the skin layer: S = 0/0/0/0, S1 = 0/0/WM/0/0, S2 = 0/90/WM/90/0, S3 = 0/45/WM/-45/0 and S4 = 0/30/WM/60/0. The primary mechanical properties of the sandwich composite specimens were obtained by conducting Tensile, Flexural, and Impact strengths as per ASTM standards, whereas secondary vibration characteristics by experimental modal analysis. The presence of core WM enhances the primary properties especially in S1 attributed to the 0 degrees fiber orientation with high load carrying capacity, natural frequency (Mode I, II), and stiffness. Whereas the specimen with angular fiber orientation (S2, S3, S4) in the skin layer exhibits higher damping showcasing their ability to dissipate energy. Specimen 'S3MODIFIER LETTER PRIME acts as a performance change over with 45/-45 fiber in the skin layer. Morphology study of a test of a specimen with 'WM' shows the participation of matrix, banana fiber, and WM in load transfer mechanism with varied failure pattern. Hence, this type of composite structure can be preferred to use in structural and automobile applications by properly orienting the fiber in the skin layer.