Mechanical Behavior and Predictive Modeling of Phenoplast Composites Reinforced with Abaca, Flax, and Hybrid Fibers

Authors

  • Girish Ariga Department of Basic Science & Humanities, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi) Hubli, Karnataka India-581207 Author
  • Sandeepkumar Gowda Department of Mechanical Engineering, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi), Hubli, Karnataka India-581207 Author
  • K S Shreeharsha Department of Mechanical Engineering, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi), Hubli, Karnataka India-581207 Author
  • Sarfarazali Khazi Department of Mechanical Engineering, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi), Hubli, Karnataka India-581207 Author
  • Maruthi Prashanth B H Department of Mechanical Engineering, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi), Hubli, Karnataka India-581207 Author

Keywords:

Abaca fiber, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Flax fiber, Flexural strength, Hybrid composites, Impact strength, Mechanical properties, Natural fiber composites, Phenoplast resin, Tensile strength

Abstract

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Research on natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites as substitutes for synthetic equivalents has been prompted by the growing need for environmentally friendly engineered materials. The mechanical performance of phenoplast composites reinforced with flax, abaca, and a hybrid abaca–flax structure is examined in this work. Fabricated specimens underwent tensile, flexural, and impact strength testing before being validated using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. The results show that because of synergistic reinforcing, hybrid composites surpass single-fiber composites in terms of tensile modulus (6.3 GPa) and flexural strength (37 MPa). The hybrid composite successfully balanced strength, stiffness, and toughness, but abaca composites showed more impact energy absorption (0.154 J). The ANN model demonstrated a strong capacity to predict mechanical characteristics, as shown by its close agreement with experimental data. In order to optimize natural fiber composites and provide affordable, environmentally friendly solutions for structural and functional applications, this study emphasizes the benefits of hybridization and predictive modeling.

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Author Biography

  • Girish Ariga, Department of Basic Science & Humanities, AGM Rural College of Engineering and Technology (Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi) Hubli, Karnataka India-581207

    Citation: Ariga, G., Gowda, S., Chamraj, R., Shreeharsha, K. S., Khazi, S., & Prashanth, M. B. H. (2026). Mechanical behavior and predictive modeling of phenoplast composites reinforced with abaca, flax, and hybrid fibers. Engineering Convergence and Innovation, 1(1), 25–28. Universal Research Forum. 

Published

2025-10-21

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): January – April

Section

Articles