Exploring the Impact of Fiber Volume on the Mechanical, Thermal, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Enset Fiber-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites

This study explored the influence of different fiber volume (ranging from 0 to 20%) on the mechanical (Tensile, flexural, impact strength), thermal, as well as dynamic mechanical properties of enset/PLA (Polylactic Acid) composites. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using enset fibers as reinforcing agents in PLA matrices and to understand the performance of the resulting composite material for automobile and food packaging applications. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was performed to evaluate viscoelastic behavior under different temperature and frequency conditions. The findings revealed a noticeable enhancement in the tensile behavior, peaking at a 15% fiber volume, while the flexural properties exhibited optimal performance at the same level. The impact resistance gradually increases, reaching a maximum value of 20%. Thermal analysis showed improved stability in the composites with higher fiber contents. The DMA results indicated an enhanced storage modulus and damping factor in specific temperature and frequency ranges. The microstructural analysis verified that the fibers were uniformly distributed throughout the PLA matrix. These results suggest the potential of enset/ PLA composites for automobile dash boards, window panel and wind blades requiring improved mechanical strength and thermal stability, thereby providing valuable insights into tailoring composite properties based on varying fiber volume fractions.