Banana Fiber Composites Research Articles

Characterization of Polypropylene post-consume / Banana Fiber Composites

In this study, banana fibre surfaces were chemically modified and composites using polypropylene as a matrix were prepared. The FTIR analysis confirmed that the esterification increased the crystallinity and thermal stability of the acetylated fibres. Composites showed a decrease in the melt flow index and a slight reduction in density and hardness in relation to the matrix. Good matrix/fibre adhesion was observed by SEM micrographs.

Experimental Study of The Mechanical Properties of Banana Fiber and Groundnut Shell Ash Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composite

Effect of addition of filler material to the natural fiber composite was experimentally investigated. Composites are manufactured by the conventional hand-layup method. All composites are made with a fixed banana fiber with 15% weight fraction addition of different weight fraction of (0, 3, 5, 7.5%) groundnut shell ash is added to the composite. Tensile, hardness, impact and compressive strength are conducted to find the mechanical behaviour of the composites. Preparation and testing were conducted according to ASTM standards. Results illustrate that mechanical properties are improved by the addition of groundnut shell ash to the epoxy based banana fiber composite. Natural fiber composites are predominantly used in automobile (Door pannels, interior parts and cabin linings), aerospace and packing material. Natural fibers have more advantages like low cost, biodegradable and low density than the inorganic materials, the environmental impact of the natural fibers are less compared to synthetic fibers.

Mechanical Properties and Failure Analysis of Short Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Composites Processed by Resin Casting and Vacuum Infusion Methods

Modified and unmodified short kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites were processed with different short fibre lengths and fibre concentrations by resin casting (RC) and vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARIM) methods. Three types of kenaf fibres were reinforced in epoxy polymer, namely, untreated kenaf fibre, mercerised and nanoclay-infused kenaf fibres. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact properties of composites were studied. Nanoclay infused kenaf fibres have shown better tensile, flexural and impact properties than those of untreated and mercerised fibres. The composites processed by VARIM possess improved tensile and flexural properties when compared with RC composites, whereas the impact properties were better in RC composites than those of VARIM processed composites. The results showed that the mechanical properties of composites depend on the short fibre length and fibre concentration, irrespective of the processing conditions. Improved water barrier properties were also obtained in nanoclay-treated banana fibre composites.

Polyester-based redmud reinforced banana fibre composites: impact and flexural property studies

Redmud (RM)-based polymer composite is one of the most promising fillers to be used for composite preparation. In this work, redmud is used as a secondary reinforcement along with banana fibre combined with the polyester matrix. Redmud and banana fibre of varying weight percentage in the ratio 50:50 are taken for this study. Banana fibre of 30 mm optimal length is used for this study. Redmud of different weight percentages varying from 10 to 50% wt has been taken for this study. The composites are prepared by compression moulding method. Impact and flexural strength studies are carried out for different composite combinations subjected to dry and wet (moisture) conditions. The results showed that the addition of redmud filler of 10% wt and fibre of 40% wt increases the impact strength by 43% due to the more amount of energy absorption. It decreases the flexural strength by 34% respectively due to poor bonding and dispersion of filler. In the case of composites subjected to moisture study shows same phenomenon when compared with the virgin composites.

Polyester-based redmud reinforced banana fibre composites: impact and flexural property studies

Polyester-based redmud reinforced banana fibre composites: impact and flexural property studies

Effect of Green Gram Husk Nanocellulose on Banana Fiber Composite

ABSTRACTNanocellulose is a significant bio entity in the present-day applications of nanocomposites. In this regard, the present work focuses on fabrication of green gram husk cellulose-based hybrid nanocomposites. In the process of nanocellulose extraction, residues obtained after each stage of treatment are characterized through physical and morphological tests. Later, nanocellulose is reinforced in unsaturated polyester with 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt. % to study the tensile properties. The peak tensile strength is found to be 39 MPa at 5wt% of cellulose nanocomposites. Noting the enhancement in tensile properties of nanocomposites, nanocellulose is reinforced in banana fiber composites and its influence on mechanical properties is studied. Nanocellulose/banana fiber hybrid composites showed enhanced tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength.

Assessment of Banana and Jute Fiber Composites Made up of GP- Resins as a Casting Agent

Assessment of Banana and Jute Fiber Composites Made up of GP- Resins as a Casting Agent

Prediction of Swelling Behaviour of Jute and Banana Fiber Composites by using ANN and Regression Analysis

Jute fibers and banana fibers are the classes of affordable and biodegradable green fibers are being increasingly used as a substitute for the artificial glass and carbon fibers used in polymer composites. However, all natural fiber composites absorb water and swell in a moist environment. The objective is focusing on the determination of physical property of biodegradable and easily disposable natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites for automotive, household and architectural applications. The Swelling behavior of composites made from jute and banana fibers and epoxy is presented in this experimental characterization study. Swelling test is performed by immersing composite specimens into water at room temperature until absorption becomes constant. The results discuss that jute fiber reinforced composite absorbs less water within a period of time. The work also reports a comparative analysis of two methodologies for the prediction of physical property of natural fiber composites. However, ANN gives better result than the regression.

Thermal and die electric properties of chemically modified municipal solid waste and banana fiber reinforced polymer composites

The thermal and dielectric properties of municipal solid waste (MSW)/banana fiber composites were investigated as a function of total volume fraction of filler (MSW+ banana fiber). The relative volume fraction of MSW/banana fiber and its chemical modification was also investigated. The total volume fraction (Vf) of filler is established by keeping the relative volume fraction of MSW and banana fiber as 50:50. The thermal conductivity of composites decreases with increase of filler ratio. Subsequently, composites with different volume ratios of MSW and banana fiber (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) were prepared by keeping total Vf of filler as 50%. Low thermal conductivity and diffusivity values were obtained in composites with an MSW and a banana fiber ratio as 50:50. Moreover, chemically modified filler composites show decrease in dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor and an increment in volume resistivity. Experimental dielectric constant values are correlated with theoretical models. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2016

Hybridization effect of coir fiber on physico-mechanical properties of polyethylene-banana/coir fiber hybrid composites

AbstractIn this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of coir fiber addition along with the banana fiber in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to develop cost-effective and high-performance composite material. The composite samples were prepared at fixed fiber content (25 wt%) and with varying relative weight fraction of banana and coir fiber using compression molding technique. The effect of hybridization was analyzed through the mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact), thermal stability, morphological behavior, and water absorption behavior. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy studies had been carried out on the tensile fractured surface for all composite samples to examine the fracture behavior of the composite samples. The results showed that the incorporation of coir fiber into the banana fiber composites of up to 50% by weight led to enhancement of the mechanical properties and thermal stability and to reduction of the water absorption capacity of the banana fiber/LDPE composites.

Banana fiber reinforced low-density polyethylene composites: effect of chemical treatment and compatibilizer addition

In this study, an attempt has been made to utilize banana fiber (a natural fiber from agricultural waste) as reinforcement for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to develop environmental friendly composite materials. LDPE/banana fiber composites were fabricated at different fiber loadings (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt %) using compression molding technique. The composite with the composition of 25 wt % banana fiber was observed to be optimum on the basis of biodegradability and mechanical properties. Further, the effect of banana fiber surface treatment (alkali and acrylic acid) on the mechanical properties, morphology and water absorption behavior of the LDPE/banana fiber composites in the absence and presence of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, MA-g-LDPE) was comparatively studied. The alkali and acrylic acid treatment of the banana fibers led to enhanced mechanical properties and water resistance property of the composites, and these properties got further improved by the addition of the compatibilizer. The addition of compatibilizer to the acrylic acid treated banana fiber composites showed the most effective improvement in the flexural and impact strength and also, exhibited a reduction in the water absorption capacity. However, the tensile strength of the compatibilized composites with treated fibers resulted in slightly lower values than those with untreated fibers, because of the degradation of fibers by chemical attack as was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. SEM studies carried out on the tensile fractured surface of the specimens showed improved fiber-matrix interaction on the addition of compatibilizer.

Investigations on Thermal Conductivities of Jute and Banana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

The Jute and Banana fibers are used as reinforcement in epoxy resin matrix for making partially green biodegradable material composite via hand lay-up technique. The thermal conductivity of the jute fiber epoxy composites and banana fiber epoxy composites at different volume fraction of the fiber is determined experimentally by using guarded heat flow meter method. The experimental results had shown that thermal conductivity of the composites decrease with an increase in the fiber content. Experimental results are compared with theoretical models (Series model, Hashin model and Maxwell model) to describe the variation of the thermal conductivity versus the volume fraction of the fiber. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is observed. Thermal conductivity of Banana fiber composite is less when compared to that of Jute composite which indicates banana is a good insulator and also the developed composites can be used as insulating materials in building, automotive industry and in steam pipes to save energy by reducing rate of heat transfer.

Dynamic mechanical analysis and free vibration behavior of intra-ply woven natural fiber hybrid polymer composite

Influence of nature of weaving pattern and intra-ply hybridization of natural fibers on dynamic mechanical and free vibration characteristics of woven banana/jute polyester composite has been investigated. Results revealed that basket-type composite has better dynamic properties due to uniform stress distribution in both warp and weft directions. Warp jute fiber and weft banana fiber (WJWB) and both warp and weft banana and jute fiber (WAWBJ) intra-ply hybrid composites have better dynamic mechanical behavior as relatively stronger fiber is oriented along the loading direction. Experimental modal analysis carried out on beam-like samples revealed that warp and weft banana and jute fiber intra-ply hybrid composite has better natural frequencies while huckaback woven and warp banana fiber and weft jute fiber composites have better modal damping factors.

Hygric Strain Behaviour of Natural Composites

Extracted pineapple and banana fibres are incorporated in polyester resin matrix to prepare pure pineapple and pure banana fibre composites using hand layup technique. For comparison purpose glass fibre composites are also fabricated under similar processing conditions. A separate test setup has been designed for determination of hygric strain (β). All the specimens were subjected to moisture test in order to estimate hygric strain. Specimen deflections were measured periodically with respect to time. All samples are also exposed to the same environment are removed periodically from the water bath and weighed on an analytical balance to determine the relative weight gain, ‘M’. The average moisture concentration ‘C’ is computed using relative weight gain and densities of composite and water. Coefficient of hygric strains are determined from moisture concentration (C) and hygric strains (β).

Property Evaluation of Hybrid OPEBF/Banana/Glass Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

The physical (density and water absorption) and mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact and hardness) properties of banana empty fruit bunch fiber -glass fiber- oil palm empty fruit bunch particles- reinforced polyester composite were investigated. The natural fibers were extracted and processed locally. Thereafter, the test specimens were prepared using polyester resin with different compositions and prepared in accordance with ASTM standards. The results showed that as the banana fiber content was increased, there was a corresponding decline in the flexural strength. However, increasing the glass fiber content resulted in a corresponding increase in flexural strength. Composite with OPEBF 5 wt % banana fiber 10wt% /glass fiber10 (wt%) produced high impact strength of 55.556J/m2 representing 1568.67% improvement over that of the virgin unsaturated polyester. It was discovered that banana fiber of 15wt% and glass fiber of 5wt% hybrid composite had the highest hardness (3.55HV) representing 136.67% improvement on the hardness of the polyester (1.5HV). It was observed that the hardness of the samples was influenced by increase in banana fiber content in the composite. Thus, banana fiber composite could be considered for applications in areas where high impact strength is a requirement such as in some parts of automobile vehicle.

Water Absorption Kinetics and Mechanical Properties of Ultrasonic Treated Banana Fiber Reinforced-vinyl Ester Composites

This work focuses on the effect of ultrasonic treatment on the water absorption characteristics and the mechanical properties of woven banana fiber composites. Banana fibers were initially treated with NaOH solution. These were then subjected to ultrasonic treatment while preparing the composites. Similar method was followed earlier to study the effect on water absorption property of the composites which showed encouraging results (Ghosh et al., 2013). A mathematical analysis is done to find the diffusion kinetics. These composites were also tested for their mechanical strengths. The mechanical strengths were found to be better than the composites made in the general procedure. This shows that the composites prepared with ultrasonic treatment have superior properties and can be suitable for wide range of applications.

Effect of air bubbling and ultrasonic processing on water absorption property of banana fibre-vinylester composites

The effect of alkaline treatment in combination with air bubbling in banana fibre mat on the water absorption property of the fibre composite has been experimentally studied. The effect of sonication on the water absorption property of the composites is also studied. Hot-water immersion test is done on the samples. Water uptake was quantified for the composite disc under different processing conditions. The studies have revealed that the fibre surface modification rate is enhanced by the combination of air bubbling with the general process of alkaline treatment. Water absorption is highly reduced by the sonication process. This shows the importance of this method of fibre treatment and this shall encourage other researchers to develop an adequate system to expedite fabrication for better quality of woven banana fibre composites for various sectors such as household utility or automobile parts.

Conducting polypyrrole‐coated banana fiber composites: Preparation and characterization

AbstractIn this study, conducting banana fibers (BF) were obtained through in situ oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) on the BF surface using ferric chloride hexahydratate (FeCl3·6H2O) as an oxidant. Suitable reaction conditions are outlined for the polymerization of Py: oxidant/monomer molar ratio, Py concentration and polymerization time of 2/1, 0.05 mol.L−1 and 30 min, respectively. Under these conditions, high‐quality conducting fibers containing polyPy and BF (PPy‐BF) were obtained with an electrical resistivity as low as 0.54 Ω.cm. The PPy‐BF was blended with different concentrations of polyurethane (PU) by mixing the two components in a vacuum chamber and then applying compression molding. The electrical resistivity of composites with 25 wt% of PPy‐BF was around 1.8 × 105 Ωcm, which is approximately 108 times lower than that found for pure PU. Moreover, PU/PPy‐BF composites exhibited higher mechanical properties than pure PU and PU/PPy, indicating that these conducting fibers can also be used as reinforcement for polymer matrices. The properties of the PPy‐BF obtained by the method described herein open interesting possibilities for novel applications of electrically conducting fibers, from smart sensors to new conducting fillers that can be incorporated into several polymer matrixes to develop conducting polymer composites with good mechanical properties.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Effect of Euphorbia Coagulum on Flexural Property of Polyester Banana Fiber Composite

Presently composites made up of either both the binder and the reinforcing fibers are synthetic or either one of the material is natural or synthetic. In the present study coagulum (dried latex) of Euphorbia royleana has been used for replacing polyester resin as a natural binder in polyester banana fiber composite. The influence of different volume fraction of the coagulum in the composite is studied. It is observed that with the increase in the coagulum fraction, the flexural property of the polyester banana fiber composite increases. The flexural strength increase by 25% and flexural modulus by 15% at 40% of coagulum weight fraction. This study presents the possibility of preparation of composites using coagulum of Euphorbia latex. The developed composite may be used in partition walls, roof tiles, interior linings of automobiles, etc as wood substitute.

Studies on properties of banana fiber reinforced green composite

India contributes a large percentage to total world production of rice husk, jute, banana, and coconut fiber. All these natural fibers have excellent physical and mechanical properties, which can be used effectively in the development of composite materials for various structural applications. This article gives an overall view of banana fiber composite and its mechanical properties. The advantage of using natural fiber materials over traditional materials and its possible growth in future are also discussed. The experimental results showed that 15 wt% banana fiber reinforced composite show optimum mechanical properties.