Experimental and theoretical studies to investigate the water absorption behavior of carbon/banana fibre hybrid epoxy composite

In this study, carbon/banana fibre hybrid reinforced epoxy composite was prepared and analyzed based on: (1) water absorption and (2) swelling rate, followed by the optimization using the Taguchi method. These samples were prepared using a 2:1 ratio of epoxy and hardener as the matrix and altering the reinforcement hybrid of fibre via the lamination process. The experiment was designed using a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Three factors were employed in the analysis: (1) reinforcing layer, (2) fibre treatment, and (3) temperature. The experimental results showed that fibre treatment followed by the number of reinforcement layers were the key performance parameters with the temperature having the least impact. A similar analysis was also obtained using the Taguchi method, showing that both the experimental and theoretical studies were in agreement. The optimization conditions, both for absorption and swelling rates are (1) number of reinforcement layers of 1, (2) fibre treatment of 4%, and (3) temperature of 40 °C, with the condition designated as A1B3C2 in the Taguchi method. [Display omitted] •Production of carbon/banana fibre composite using hand layup lamination method.•Process optimization using experimental and theoretical techniques.•ANOVA, Taguchi design and regression analysis used in the study.•Fibre treatment and the number of layers are influential parameters for the study.