Performance evaluation of banana, coir, and jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites for sustainable construction applications

Abstract

Rising interest in environmentally friendly and sustainable materials for construction has driven the development of polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers. This study focuses on the performance evaluation of hybrid epoxy matrix composites reinforced with banana, coir, and jute fibers in various proportions, aiming to identify optimal fiber combinations for construction-related applications. Five different hybrid composites were made-up with a constant fiber volume fraction of 60% and epoxy resin as the matrix material. The composite samples were tested to determine their tensile, flexural, impact strengths, and surface hardness. Among the samples, the composite with 40% banana, 30% coir, and 30% jute fibers exhibited superior performance, achieving the highest values in tensile (56.63 MPa) and flexural strength (67.72 MPa), impact resistance (9.46 J), and hardness (74.74). The results indicate a synergistic effect in the ternary fiber combination, enhancing both mechanical performance and moisture resistance. These findings suggest that the developed hybrid composite is a viable candidate for sustainable construction applications, particularly in non-structural elements such as partition panels, false ceilings, and interior cladding, offering an environmentally responsible alternative to conventional materials.