Paper Title
Mechanical Properties Of Banana And Coconut Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract
This researches the mechanical properties. Of epoxy resin by using random orientation discontinuous banana fiber and coconut fiber as reinforcement were studied. The both fibers are successively treated by alkaline treatment in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) at room temperature. The composites were prepared with various fiber content (3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% by weight) of banana and coconut fibers in epoxy polymer matrix. The mechanical properties (tensile and impact strength) tests were carried out using composites specimen. And examine the microstructure of the composites by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results from the tensile tests of banana and coconut fiber reinforced epoxy composites are that the 15 wt% banana fiber showed the highest value is 73.23 MPa for maximum tensile strength. The impact strength highest values for 10 wt% of coconut fiber reinforced epoxy composites is 363.66 kJ/m2 which more than banana fiber reinforced epoxy composites. This is consistent with the results for determining the microstructure of composite materials with the higher fiber content tended to have void inside. That a hole will results in a brittle material strength cause the tensile strength and impact strength decreased. Keywords- Banana fiber, Coconut fiber, epoxy resin, mechanical properties.