STUDY OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES FOR UNSATURATED POLYESTER REINFORCED BY NATURAL FIBERS

Banana fiber at present is a waste product of banana cultivation. Moreover, without any additional cost input. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of pseudo-stem banana fibers in the woven fabric configuration on the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester composite. It was found that the addition of pseudo- stem banana woven fabric increased in the impact, compression, and flexural strength. The results showed that the impact strength on the pseudo- stem banana woven fabric reinforced (UP) composite is increased by 22% compared to virgin (UP), while flexural and compression strength on the composite is increased by 15% and 12% respectively.