Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.

0, 1-8 ISSN 1229-9197 (print version)

DOI 10.1007/s12221-021-0917-x ISSN 1875-0052 (electronic version)

A Study on Mechanical and Morphological Analysis of Banana/Sisal

Fiber Reinforced IPN Composites
P. Vimalanathan1, G. Suresh2*, M. Rajesh3, R. Manikandan4, S. K. Rajesh Kanna2, and V. Santhanam1
1
Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, Chennai 602 105, India
2
Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Kuthambakkam, Chennai 600 124, India
3
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632 014, India
4
Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering, Avadi, Chennai 600 055, India
(Received August 13, 2020; Revised October 9, 2020; Accepted October 24, 2020)

Abstract: In this present study, untreated and (5 % NaOH) treated banana and sisal fiber was chosen as the reinforcement
along with the various proportionate of polyurethane (PU) loading into vinyl ester (VER) as interpenetrating polymer
networks (IPNs) laminate. In this study, banana/sisal (untreated/treated) fiber reinforced IPN laminate was fabricated with the
following variant of 0 %, 20 %, 40 % PU loading by using the compressing molding process. Mechanical tests such as
tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and water absorption tests were performed and compared in accordance with ASTM
standards, to determine their inter-laminar strength of the IPN laminate. In addition, interfacial analysis was also carried out
with the help of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) on the broken specimens in order to thoroughly understand the
fractured specimen’s micro-structural behavior. Among all tests, the sisal fiber reinforced IPN laminate showed significant
surge in all physical tests expects moisture absorption characteristics.
Keywords: Banana, Sisal, Vinyl ester, Polyurethane, Scanning electron microscope

Introduction on the components. To overcome such an unconstructive

issues which are faced out upon using the synthetic fibers,
In the recent years, there is a considerable attention in the the natural fiber reinforced plastic material come into sight
area of using the natural fiber as reinforcement with various as the suitable replacement material for the synthetic
matrixes, in order to replace the commercially available material [10,11]. In this regard, the mostly accepted natural
synthetic fibers, mainly due to the various environmental fiber materials are sisal, banana, kenaf, coir and cotton.
factors and marginal cost. Most of the researchers are Although it possess the best eco-friendly and bio-degradable
constantly doing vigorous research in the area of natural property, considered as one of the predominant enhancing
fiber reinforcement with different matrix material, in the factor in increasing the physical strength of the material, still
view to replace the synthetic fibers in distinct level in most the limitations prevails on using of the natural fiber
of the industrial sectors [1-3]. Most of the automobile reinforced composite material in hygro-thermal environment
industries are inclined their research and product development [12,13]. The prime reason for this issue was hydrophilicity
towards this natural fiber because of their benefits over index, the extent to which a surface repels water may be
synthetic fibers. Moreover it is widely accepted for the called as the hydrophilicity of that surface. Moreover,
following advantages, such as low density, low cost, bio- hydrophilic molecule possess polar molecule functional
degradability, better insulation and ease of processing during groups like OH and COOH also it keep increases the water
fabrication of any intricate parts [4-6]. repulsion characteristics of the fiber to maximum extent.
Though synthetic fibers like glass, carbon, basalt and Apart from that, a smooth surface with low surface
aramid are widely considered as the suitable fibrous material roughness could increase hydrophilic nature, based on the
in most of the fiber reinforced fabrication units, in the same widely available known results. The natural fiber composite
way, those materials are considered as the best replacement prone to attract the water molecules due to their hydrophilic
material for the conventional metallic material, because of nature, this was principally because of persistence of porous
its good physical strength and abrasion resistance, still structure of natural fiber reinforcement in matrix material,
manufacturers find fairly difficult to recycle or dump the subsequently hydrophilic nature of natural fibers decreases
materials once its life time gets over. Indeed requires the physical strength of the composite material in
appropriate state of art technology to reprocess and dispose appropriate level [14-16].
them without affecting atmosphere and ecosystem [7-9]. Often, the surface treatments are typically considered as
Furthermore due to these effects, the cost incurred to the best solution to overcome a hydrophilic nature of the
manufacture the synthetic fiber component extracts high cost natural fiber, by opting the suitable (alkali) surface treatment,
the hydroxyl (-OH) groups can be significantly uprooted
*Corresponding author: [email protected] from the surface of the fiber which is the prime reason

1 Korean Fiber Society for Fibers and Polymers and Springer 2021
© The
2 Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 P. Vimalanathan et al.

behind that of the hydrophilic nature of the natural fiber [17- sisal and banana reinforced IPNs, the fabricated laminate
19]. Amongst all available natural fibers, the sisal fiber is was subjected with all mechanical tests namely tensile,
believed as the one of the finest material and widely used for flexural, impact and hardness and addition to that moisture
all the applications like fabricating the mooring small craft, absorption test also conducted to identify the adhesion
handling cargo, spa products, rugs and clothes, since it property between the fiber and resin. Finally, completely to
possess the better durability and resistance against the get to know about the interfacial strength between the fibers
deterioration in water. Actually it comes from the agave and IPNs, the surface morphology analysis was carried out
sisalana scientific family and offers better stiffer property by using the scanning electron microscope test on the
relatively higher than that of other natural fibers [20-22]. In fractured surface [30].
line of the sisal fiber, there is another interesting fiber
material holds equal to the place of sisal fiber characteristics Experimental
is called banana fiber. The banana fiber (lingo cellulosic)
extracted from the pseudo-stem of banana plant, it vastly The Vinylester, polyurethane and sodium hydroxide
used in various applications like textile, paper and handicraft (NaOH) used in this studies were purchased from Sakthi
industries, apart them that it is widely used in the area of fibers, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. Similarly sisal and
packaging industries and building industries as it absorbs banana fibers were purchased from Indarsen Shamlal Ltd.,
lesser water intake as compared with another natural fiber Kolkata, Westbengal, India, as shown in Figure 1 and their
comparatively [23-25]. properties were elucidated in Table 1 [31]. The fibers mat
As far as fiber reinforcement technology, the fibers would configuration was prepared by arranging, knitting and
act as the load carrying member where as the matrix cutting. The fibers were woven by using a knitting tool and
normally gives the structural rigidity and appearance to the then cut to the mold shape [32,33].
product. Researchers are keep studying the physical strength The untreated fibers received from the manufacturers first
of the natural fiber reinforced composite material by varying washed with detergent water before undergoing on alkali
the different kind of resin material often [26-28]. Generally treatment. Following this the fibers were kept in an oven by
selecting of the exact resin or matrix material, needs specific maintaining the temperature of 90 °C for the period of
cutting edge technology to increase the lifetime of the final
product. However epoxy, Vinylester, polyester and
polyurethane considered as the quite optimistic resin
material for various fiber reinforcement, still each resins
have their own disadvantages upon using in various
environments. In order to proclaim the integrity of the resin
material and emphasizing its physical characteristics,
indeed requires various polymerization techniques. Moreover
the time duration to do certain polymer characterization
directly proportional towards delivery of the final product in
short span of time, obviously this processes leads much
higher product cost. With the intention to avoid this
prolonged delivery of product to the market, the concept of Figure 1. Graphical appearance of banana fiber and sisal fiber.
interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) has arrived [29].
In this research work, the Vinylester has been chosen as
the one of the matrix material since it possess better qualities Table 1. Physical properties of sisal fiber and banana fibers
like stiffness, corrosion resistance, technical performance, Properties Sisal fiber Banana fiber
molecular structure design-ability and impact resistance Cellulose (%) 70 68
properties. Similarly to achieve the novelty of the interpenetrating
Lignin (%) 8 6
polymer networks (to extract the specific property of the
individual resins), another classic resin material polyurethane Hemicellulose (%) 15 19
which possesses good tear resistance and widely accepted Density (kg/cm3) 1488 1388
for his elastic characteristics in most of the industrial sectors Moisture content (%) 8 12
have been blended with Vinyl ester to solve the thrust issue Tensile strength (MPa) 119 110
in polymerization technique. In this current study, the Flexural modulus (GPa) 4.7-10.94 3.3-6.42
combination of Vinylester and polyurethane are blended Youngs modulus (GPa) 4.01 3.73
with each other with appropriate ratio, and reinforced with
Diameter (mm) 110-210 160-240
sisal and banana (treated/untreated) fiber, to get the natural
fiber IPN laminate. To validate the physical strength of the Lumen size (mm) 12 6
Banana/Sisal Fiber Reinforced IPN Composites Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 3

Table 2. Various composition of IPN laminates Table 3. ASTM standards with size of the specimens
Specimen IPN composition (treated & untreated) ASTM Size of the specimen
S. no.
IPN 1 100 wt%. VER + 0 wt%. PU & sisal fiber Standards (length×breadth×thickness in mm)
IPN 3 80 wt%. VER + 20 wt%. PU & sisal fiber 1. ASTM D 3039 250×25×3.2
IPN 4 60 wt%. VER + 40 wt%. PU & sisal fiber 2. ASTM D 790 127×12.7×3.2
IPN 5 100 wt%. VER + 0 wt%. PU & banana fiber 3. ASTM D 256 63×12.8×3.2
IPN 7 80 wt%. VER + 20 wt%. PU & banana fiber 4. ASTM D 2583 300×300×3.2
IPN 8 60 wt%. VER + 40 wt%. PU & banana fiber 5. ASTM D 750 25.4×76.2×3

6 hours, as to completely remove the moisture content from diamond cutter. To execute the physical examination on the
the fibers, then 5 % NaOH solution was prepared, the dried IPN laminate specimens (Tensile, Flexural) universal testing
fibers were completely immersed separately for the period machine (Hounsdsfield 50 kN - Model - 1150) was used, by
of 6 hours into the NaOH solution, then the treated fibers maintaining the cross head speed of 10 mm/min and their
were thoroughly washed with distilled water to completely corresponding stress and strain values were recorded
remove the excess amount of NaOH from the outer surface according to the various ratio of PU loading. Further to find
of the fibers. At last the treated fibers were kept in an oven out the impact strength, IZOD impact test kit was used.
by maintaining the temperature of 110 °C. The PU loaded Along with that hardness value of the IPN laminate was also
VER with various proportions (0 %, 20 %, 40 % PU) have determined by Rockwell hardness machine, by using the
been taken separately by adding the required amount of 1.56 mm steel ball indenter, with maintaining the minor and
hardener, accelerator and promoter manually. The prepared major load of 10 kgf to 100 kgf. Average of 5 samples on
blend of various proportionate of PU loading with the each tests were in calculated for experimental purpose with
reinforcement of sisal/banana fibers were then shifted into standard deviation of ±0.5. Additionally to find out the water
the compression molding process. The compression molding intake behavior of the IPN laminate, water absorption test
technique was used to fabricate the natural fiber reinforced also conducted on the cut specimens, and their corresponding
IPN composite during this research, mold have the percentage of water absorption was also calculated by using
dimensions of 300×300×3 mm. IPNs laminate (sisal/banana the formula for ten days (1) [35,36].
fiber reinforced) with three combinations were separately
prepared as per the description provided in the Table 2 [34]. W (%) = {(Ww − Wd)/Wd} × 100 % (1)
To evaluate the physical characteristics of the IPN
laminate, the tests like tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and where Wd and Ww are the dry and wet weight of the IPN
water absorption tests were carried out as per the ASTM laminate respectively.
D3039, D790, D256, D 2583, and D750 respectively, as At last to thoroughly understand the interfacial adhesion
mentioned in the Figure 2. The exact dimensions of the IPN characteristics between the fiber and matrix, the scanning
laminates for various tests were mentioned in the Table 3. electron microscopic (SEM) analysis were carried out on the
All the specimens were correctly sized with help of the fractured specimens.

Figure 2. Tensile, flexural, impact test specimens before testing.

4 Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 P. Vimalanathan et al.

Results and Discussion system. In the same way of the sisal fiber, the banana fiber
also exhibited (20 % PU) the decline trend in the tensile
Influence of PU Loading on Sisal/Banana (treated/ stress value as such observed in the sisal fiber and IPN
untreated) Fiber Reinforced IPN Laminate’s Tensile combination of 20 % PU loading into the VER. The
Stress common failure modes like fiber pullout, following with the
The Figure 3 depicts the tensile stress values of the sisal/ breaking of interfacial strength, between the fiber and matrix
banana fiber reinforced (treated and untreated) IPN laminate was noticed for all the specimens irrespective of fiber
and their corresponding variation. It is observed that sisal reinforcement. The final conclusion upon the examination
fiber (untreated) has shown the tensile stress value of conducted on the tensile strength analysis is that, the alkali
26.26 MPa for the neat Vinylester matrix (0 %PU) resin. treated fibers revealed the hike in the strength value
Whereas the treated sisal fiber for the same PU loading has irrespective of the fiber reinforcement. The main aim behind
shown the value of 28.57 MPa, this obtained value was 5 % that of the alkali treatment on the natural fibers was normally
hike than the untreated sisal fiber tensile stress value. From used to change the cellulosic molecular structure. This
this observation, it proves that the treated fiber exhibits the treatment completely or partially changes the orientation of
better tensile stress value than the untreated fibers. Similarly the compactly packed crystalline cellulose order, thus the
the same kind of trend as well observed for banana fiber way forms the amorphous state. Actually this effect provides
physical examination also. The (0 % PU) neat (banana fiber- the more easy way to the alkali solution, to deep penetrate in
untreated) resin shown the tensile stress value of 20.56 MPa. to the amorphous region, those distinct regions are called as
While the treated banana fiber has shown the tensile stress cellulose micro molecules and are split at equal distances,
value as 22.54 MPa, this was nearly 6 % hike than the and their respective regions are filled with water molecules.
untreated fiber. From the above two set of obtained values, it The groups of alkali sensitive hydroxyl (OH) present
is observed that, the treated fiber is showing the significant between the molecules are completely broken down when
surge in the tensile stress values [37]. Likewise the 20 % PU reacts with the water molecules similarly, as the residue it
loading exhibited the tensile stress value of 24.56 MPa, this moves out from the fiber structure. Moreover, upon doing
was bit reduced value than of 0 % PU, and this was because this process, the hydroxyl groups are significantly eliminated
of the soft segment presence in polyurethane, the soft segment as a result of this; it increases the moisture resistance
(SS) presence in the polyurethane thoroughly entangles with property in considerable way. Besides that, the fiber surfaces
the hard segment (HS) of VER and absolutely forms the are become cleaner and uniformly structured because of the
interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN). For the same removal of voids, due to this, the stress transfer capacity of
(20 % PU) proportionate the treated sisal fiber exhibits the the fiber increases in massive way, also as a beneficial of
bit higher value as such discussed in the (5.5 %) 0 % PU this, aspect ratio and fiber diameter predominantly reduces.
loading. The brittleness property of the vinyl ester (hard Therefore this effective fiber surface gives the better adhesion
segment) partially turns as elastic polymer due to loading of with the chosen matrix material as well as proportionately
polyurethane (soft segment) into the IPN system, the increases the mechanical strength of the natural fiber
elasticity of the IPN kept increases correspondingly, depends reinforced composite. Correspondingly the PU loading into
upon the loading of polyurethane into IPN blend. The the VER lessens the tensile stress value depends upon the
transition was taken place from brittleness to elasticity due loading of the PU, also result reveals that the IPNs had a
to the polyurethane blending (entanglement) into the IPN very good interfacial adhesion with natural fibers and it
enhances the entanglement with the fibrous material and
between among the constituents (VER & PU) [38-40].

Influence of PU Loading on Sisal/Banana (treated/

untreated) Fiber Reinforced IPN Laminate’s Flexural
Stress
The Figure 4 shows the flexural strength values of the
sisal/banana fiber reinforced IPN laminate. As such detailed
discussion presented in the tensile strength analysis, in the
flexural strength analysis as well showed, the similar kind of
increasing trend of strength rise is noticed for the treated
fibers. Again it is observed that the PU loading into the VER
gives a declining ratio of flexural stress depends upon the
PU proportionate. But the common failure phenomenon of
Figure 3. Tensile stress value of sisal/banana (treated/untreated) de-bonding between the fiber and matrix interface was
fiber reinforced IPN laminate. commonly noticed for all the fiber reinforcement IPN
Banana/Sisal Fiber Reinforced IPN Composites Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 5

Figure 6. Hardness value of sisal/banana (treated/untreated) fiber

Figure 4. Flexural stress value of sisal/banana (treated/untreated)
reinforced IPN laminate.
fiber reinforced IPN laminate.

laminates, besides fiber pullout are observed for all the Influence of IPN in Sisal/Banana (treated/untreated)
specimens [41]. Fiber Reinforced IPN Laminate’s Hardness Value
The Figure 6 shows the hardness value of the sisal/banana
Influence of PU Loading on Sisal/Banana (treated/ fiber reinforced IPN laminate. The treated fibers are shown
untreated) Fiber Reinforced IPN Laminate’s Impact good hardness value as compared with the untreated
Strength samples, irrespective of fiber reinforcement. Moreover the
The Figure 5 shows the variation of impact strengths of PU loading into the VER subsequently reduces the hardness
sisal/banana fiber reinforced (treated & untreated) IPN value; depend upon the loading of the PU. Because the soft
laminate. segment presence of PU easily allows the indenter to pierce
In the contrary of the tensile and flexural stress analysis, the laminate in very easy way, since it possess the elastic
the PU loading into VER increases the impact resistance of property as compared with the neat Vinyl ester resin.
the IPN laminate in distinct level. Because the presence of
soft segment (PU) considerably reduces the brittleness Influence of IPN in Sisal/Banana (treated/untreated)
characteristics of the VER, thus the way it makes the IPNs to Fiber Reinforced IPN Laminate’s Water Absorption
absorb the more amount of the force when the IPNs The Figure 7 shows the moisture absorption behavior of
subjected with the impact force. As much as addition of PU the IPN laminate of various (sisal/banana) fiber (treated &
into the VER tend to drastically increase the impact untreated) reinforcement. It was observed that, the treated
resistance in distinct level. Besides that, the (alkali) treated fiber reinforced IPN laminate showed comparatively less
fiber reinforced composites substantially increases the moisture absorption than the untreated IPN laminate. The
impact resistance value about to 6 % to 9 % irrespective of alkali treatment on the fiber basically structures the
fiber reinforcement of all the PU loaded IPN specimens hydrophilic surface of the natural fiber, which is believed as
[42,43]. the prime region as water uptake. Hence the matrix would

Figure 5. Impact strength analysis of sisal/banana fiber reinforced Figure 7. Moisture absorption of sisal/banana (treated/untreated)
IPN laminate. fiber reinforced IPN laminate.
6 Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 P. Vimalanathan et al.

get the better adhesion with the treated fiber, this better specimens absorbs lesser amount of water uptake as
adhesion not letting the moisture to penetrate deep into the compared with the neat Vinylester resin laminate. The lesser
fibrous surface, thus the way it intakes less amount of water absorbent of water uptake shows that the PU loaded VER
absorption as compared with the untreated fibers, this completely makes a better entanglement mechanism with
phenomenon was irrespective of the fiber reinforcement. the fibrous material and indeed creates the better interfacial
Another interesting fact from this study that, the PU loaded adhesion, thus the way it is not letting the further absorption

Figure 8. (a)-(d) Moisture absorption of sisal/banana (treated/untreated) fiber reinforced IPN laminate.

Figure 9. (a)-(d) Moisture absorption of sisal/banana (treated/untreated) fiber reinforced IPN laminate.
Banana/Sisal Fiber Reinforced IPN Composites Fibers and Polymers 0000, Vol.0, No.0 7

of water into the PU loaded specimens [44]. 3. In the contrary, upon doing the impact strength, the alkali
treated IPN laminate exhibited better strength property as
Morphological Analysis compared with the untreated IPN laminate. Besides that,
Banana Fiber-fracture Surface Analysis the PU loading into the VER unexpectedly increases the
The Figure 8(a)-(d) shows morphological images of the impact strength value to the elevated level, due to the
untreated and treated of PU loaded fractured specimens. It presence of soft segment (absorbs energy) in the PU.
was noticed that 20 % PU loaded untreated specimen shows 4. Moreover the water uptake characteristics of the PU
the excess amount of void content near to the fiber and loaded and treated IPN laminate proves as the better
matrix interface; it also clearly envisages that the untreated resistance against the water absorption, as compared with
fiber and IPN blend have not had the exact interface the treated IPN laminate.
adhesion between them. Whereas the same proportionate 5. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the
(20 % PU) showed lesser content of void and shows better treated and PU loaded VER IPN laminate can be used in
interfacial adhesion between them. Similarly the 40 % PU the manufacturing of interior/exterior automobile parts
loaded untreated banana fiber reinforced IPN laminate and aerospace applications.
showed high porous following with the common failure
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