Article

Stacking sequence effects on banana–pineapple hybrid epoxy composites

J. P. RishiDayakar G. DevaruDepartment of Industrial & Production Engineering, (SJCE) JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru, Karnataka 570006, IndiaM. RakeshRV University, Mysuru Campus, Mysuru, Karnataka 571302, IndiaT.S. HemanthDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan, Karnataka 573202, IndiaB. SandeepDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology, Mysuru, Karnataka 570028, IndiaElyor BerdimurodovFaculty of Chemistry, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent 100034, UzbekistanRasulbek EshmetovNatural sciences, Ma'mun universiteti, Urgench, UzbekistanMohammad KhisheApplied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan

2026en

ABI

Abstract

Natural-fiber epoxy laminates are increasingly used as sustainable alternatives to synthetic composites, yet how the through-thickness stacking sequence of hybrid plies governs their coupled thermal and mechanical response is not well established. This study fabricated four hand-lay-up/compression-moulded laminates at a constant 50 wt% total fibre loading, banana-only (Bf), pineapple-leaf-only (Pf), and two hybrids differing in both ply order and per-fibre loading (Bf/Pf: 30 wt% banana outer, 20 wt% pineapple; Pf/Bf: 20 wt% banana, 30 wt% pineapple outer), and characterised them by DSC, TGA, tensile, flexural, Izod impact, interlaminar shear, Shore-D hardness, density and SEM testing. The Bf/Pf laminate showed the highest glass transition response (344.38 °C DSC peak) among the four configurations, exceeding the pineapple-only laminate (323.79 °C), while pineapple-rich laminates also showed the highest TGA decomposition onset temperatures relative to the banana-only laminate (507 °C). The Pf/Bf laminate, with pineapple plies at the outer surfaces, gave the best mechanical performance: tensile strength 49.50 MPa (+ 27% over Bf/Pf), flexural strength 187.98 MPa (+18%), impact strength 45.50 kJ m⁻² and interlaminar shear strength 19.24 MPa, corroborated by SEM evidence of improved fibre–matrix adhesion and fewer interfacial voids. Because ply position and fibre-composition were varied together between the two hybrids, the relative contribution of stacking sequence alone is discussed as a design-level (not strictly isolated) effect, and composition-matched follow-up testing is identified as the next step to fully decouple the two variables. Overall, outer-ply placement of the higher-modulus pineapple fibre is identified as the primary lever for mechanical performance, whereas banana–pineapple co-lamination favours thermal stability, indicating a thermal–mechanical trade-off that can guide material selection for structural, automotive interior and packaging applications where either property is prioritised.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.103310

Citations and references

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