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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

Flexural Response and Numerical simulation of Unidirectional Areca–Pineapple Leaf Fiber Hybrid Epoxy Composites

  1. Kiran Kumar Algot Department of Mechanical Engineering, ACE Engineering College(Autonomous), Hyderabad
  2. Udya Sri Kakarala Department of Mechanical Engineering, KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad
  3. P. Naveen Kishore Department of Mechanical Engineering, Matrusri Engineering College, Hyderabad
  4. NBV Lakshmi Kumari Department of Mechanical Engineering, Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad
  5. Shatarajupally Siddaiah Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Hyderabad
  6. B. Ramakrishna Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
  7. Ramani Maggidi Department of Chemistry, Kshatriya College of Engineering, Hyderabad

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight and environmentally sustainable materials has accelerated the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites for engineering applications. In the present study, unidirectional areca and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced hybrid epoxy composites were fabricated using a simple hand lay-up process. Before fabrication, the fibers were chemically treated to improve fiber–matrix adhesion and enhance the mechanical performance of the laminates. Four different stacking sequences (A8, A7P1, A6P2, and A5P3) were prepared to investigate the influence of PALF incorporation on the flexural behavior of the composites. Flexural performance was evaluated experimentally using a three-point bending test in accordance with ASTM D7264, and the experimental results were validated through finite element analysis using ABAQUS. The experimental and numerical results showed good agreement, confirming the reliability of the developed finite element model. The results demonstrated that increasing the PALF content improved the flexural strength, stiffness, and load-carrying capability of the hybrid laminates due to enhanced stress transfer and improved interfacial bonding between the fibers and the epoxy matrix. Among the fabricated composites, the A5P3 laminate exhibited the highest flexural performance, followed by A6P2, A7P1, and A8. Minor differences between the experimental and simulation results were attributed to fabrication-induced defects such as voids and local fiber misalignment. The developed areca/PALF hybrid epoxy composites demonstrate good potential for lightweight automotive interior components, partition panels, furniture, and other semi-structural engineering applications.

Keywords

References (40)

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