Refining of Banana Fiber for Load Bearing Application through Emulsion Treatment and Its Comparison with Other Traditional Methods

Abstract

ABSTRACT Following their mechanical extraction, the fibers coming from the banana pseudo-stem are coarse and the inter fiber cohesive substances need to be removed before their transformation into textile yarns/technical textiles. To reach this objective, dry-coarse banana fibers previously extracted using compressive rollers are treated using an oil-water-based emulsion. Various properties such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, surface morphology, chemical structure, crystallinity, color value, and moisture content of the banana fibers extracted through emulsion treatment have been evaluated and are compared with those of untreated banana fibers, and the fibers extracted through acetic acid treatment and alkali treatment, respectively. It is observed that the banana fibers extracted through oil/water emulsion treatment show higher crystallinity, tensile properties, thermal stability, moisture content, and brightness than that of untreated fibers and the fibers extracted through other treatments. Following oil-water emulsion treatment, the banana fibers possess suitable properties for recyclable thermoplastic composite manufacturing with technical-grade polymers, such as PP or PLA.