Determination of Stress Intensity Factor of Banana Fibre Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Matrix Composite Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

In the current scene on material field, designers are focusing on the development of lightweight, high strength, recyclable and environment friendly materials. Due to increasing environmental admiration, ecological concerns and new statutory laws, natural fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites have found increasing attention from the recent decades. Past studies show that synthetic and natural fibres such as glass, carbon, jute, coir etc., have been used in fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite. In this work, banana fibre is used as reinforcement. An investigation is carried out to make use of banana fibre made hybrid polymer matrix composite. Bio-degradable polymer like Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) in different percentage is used with General Purpose (GP) resin to make a hybrid polymer matrix. This work intends to study the fracture analysis of composite by using experimental and Finite Element methods. The critical stress intensity factor (KIC or critical SIF) has been evaluated and validated.