Banana Fiber Research Articles

Sustainable seedling pots: Development and characterisation of banana waste and natural fibre-reinforced composites for horticultural applications

Plastic pots used in horticultural nurseries generate substantial waste, causing environmental pollution. This study aimed to develop biodegradable composites from banana pseudo-stem reinforced with agricultural residues like pineapple leaves, taro and water hyacinth as eco-friendly substitutes. The aim of this study is to develop optimised banana biocomposite formulations with suitable reinforcements that balance mechanical durability, biodegradation, and seedling growth promotion properties to serve as viable eco-friendly alternatives to plastic seedling pots. This study was carried out by fabricating banana fibre mats through pulping, drying and hot pressing. Composite sheets were reinforced with 50 % pineapple, taro or water hyacinth fibres. The mechanical properties (tensile, yield strength, elongation, bursting strength), hydrophilicity (contact angle, water absorption), biodegradability (soil burial test), and seedling growth promotion were evaluated through appropriate testing methods. The results show that banana-taro composites exhibited suitable tensile strength (25 MPa), elongation (27 %), water uptake (41 %) and 82 % biodegradation in 60 days. It was observed that biodegradable seedling trays fabricated from banana-taro composite showed 95 % tomato seed germination and a 125 cm plant height increase in 30 days, superior to plastic trays. The finding shows that the study demonstrates the potential of banana-taro biocomposites as alternatives to plastic nursery pots, enabling healthy seedling growth while eliminating plastic waste pollution through biodegradation.

Utjecaj letećeg pepela i vlakana banane na mehaničke karakteristike betonskih opločnika

The use of concrete reinforced with natural fibres is globally considered a sustainable approach to infrastructure development. This study investigated the salient features of concrete paver blocks fabricated using fly ash, coal ash, superplasticiser, and banana fibres as fibre reinforcements. Banana fibres (15 mm in length) were prepared, followed by the fabrication and characterisation of concrete paver blocks. In the current study, banana fibre (0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, 2 %, and 2.5 %) and admixture (0.5 % constantly) were used in different mix proportions in the fabrication of paver block to analyse the physicomechanical properties. The results demonstrated that the paver blocks containing 2 % modified banana fiber (with respect to weight of fly ash) show higher compressive strength (7.45 % for I-dumble and 17.12 % for zigzag paver blocks), flexural strength (14.99 % for I-dumble and 8.67 % for zigzag) and split tensile strength (12.182 % for I-dumble and 9.971 % for zigzag paver blocks), compared to other mix proportions. The use of modified banana fibres as reinforcement was found to be very effective in improving the mechanical properties and life span of paver blocks, which may lead to minimizing the preparation.

Enhancing mechanical properties of mortar with short and thin banana fibers: A sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers

The use of fiber in mortar/concrete is now common for enhancing the flexural and ductility properties of structures. However, the utilization of synthetic fibers contributes to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. Replacing these synthetic fibers with natural fibers derived from waste plants is imperative for sustainable development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of short and thin banana fibers in enhancing the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced mortar, specifically in terms of compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths. The base mortar, with a water-cement ratio of 0.30 and a unit water content of 298 kg/m3, was employed. The banana fibers were manually extracted from banana stalks, dried in an oven, and then cut into 10 mm fibers. The fibers were not treated with alkali. The fiber content was varied at 0 %, 0.125 %, 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 0.75 % by weight of cement. Initially, the fibers were mixed into the viscous mortar along with the first portion of water and a superplasticizer. Subsequently, workability was improved by incorporating the second portion of water. The optimal content of banana fiber was determined to be 0.25 %, which increased the 28-day compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths by 18.7 %, 29.9 %, and 41.1 %, respectively, compared to the base mortar. These findings suggest that the short and thin banana fiber has the potential to serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. However, it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of durability properties before implementing it in actual structures.

Optimization of composition parameter of Banana-Areca fiber epoxy based composite material for impact strength using Taguchi method

The use of natural fibers in various automotive, aerospace, marine, domestic, and electronic applications is increasing day by day for various reasons such as availability, high tensile, flexural, and impact strength, ease of fabrication, and abrasion-resistant properties. These fibers are replacing synthetic fibers due to harmless environmental risks. Natural fibers are commonly used as reinforcement materials in various thermoplastics. Therefore, in this study, a bio composite was prepared using a mixture of banana fiber and areca fiber. In this experimental work, various combination of Banana and areca fiber is used to prepare the composite for the impact strength of the material. The impact strength is performed for three different levels of volume of banana fiber, areca, and epoxy resin. Parameter optimization is performed using Taguchi analysis which forms an L9 orthogonal meshing of an array and the signal-to-noise ratio is used to optimize the control factors affecting the impact resistance of the material. For each group, the impact resistance is measured according to the ASTM D256 standard. Analysis of variance is done to determine the most significant factor influencing the impact strength of the material. The composition of banana fiber layer 1 turned out to be the most significant factor in achieving the high-impact strength of the material. A confirmation test was conducted to validate the predicted results of Taguchi analysis and experimental testing.

Impact of ply stacking sequence on the mechanical response of hybrid Jute-Banana fiber phenoplast composites

Natural fiber composites are increasingly gaining popularity as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers. Incorporating a variety of fibers enhances mechanical properties. The arrangement of fibers plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical characteristics of laminate composites. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to investigate how the stacking order of jute (J) and banana (B) fibers affects the mechanical behaviour of composites made from phenolic resins. Four different fiber mat stacking sequences (J/B/B/J, B/J/J/B, J/B/J/B, and J/J/B/B) were used for developing the eco-fiber composites using the heat-press technique. Several mechanical parameters were assessed, including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS). The experimental results indicated that the JBBJ composite exhibits superior tensile strength (46.65 MPa) and modulus (993 MPa) compared to the other composites due to the presence of high-strength jute fibers on the surface. Additionally, the flexural strength of the JBBJ composite (87.24 MPa) was found to be noteworthy. It was observed that the impact strength of jute fibers surpasses that of banana fibers. Consequently, the JBBJ composite demonstrates higher values for energy absorption (0.482 J) and impact strength (120 J m−1) compared to the other composites tested. Moreover, the JBBJ composite displays higher inter-laminar shear strength and hardness values compared to BJJB, JBJB, and JJBB by 30%, 35%, and 43%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope microphotographs reveal strong correlational fracture failure mechanisms, indicative of improved mechanical properties in the JBBJ composite. Based on the experimental results, it is evident that the JBBJ composite can be utilized in lightweight applications.

Examining Mechanical Property Differences in Concrete with Natural and Synthetic Fiber Additives

The rapid growth of Natural Fiber Laminate (NFL) innovation is a direct response to environmental challenges, positioning these materials as superior alternatives to synthetic fiber composites. This paper delved into the outcomes of an extensive experimental study investigating the influence of sisal fiber (SLF), banana fiber (BF), and glass fiber (GF) on the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of concrete. The water absorption curves were established for sisal fiber concrete (SLFC), banana fiber concrete (BFC), and glass fiber concrete (GFC). Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations were conducted to perform microanalysis and failure analysis of the tested specimens. The results revealed significant improvements in the concrete containing fibers compared to its counterpart in fiber-free concrete. For mixtures with a water-to-binder (W/B) ratio of 0.3, the most optimal mix (GF-30-135) showed improvements in compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strengths by 4.13%, 8.93%, and 10.10%, respectively. On the other hand, for W/B of 0.4, mix GF-30-135 showed improvements of 5.05%, 8.55%, and 11.60%, respectively. Furthermore, as the fiber content increased, microscopic analyses revealed a weakening of the bond between the fibers and the rest of the matrix, contributing to the deterioration of the mechanical properties.

Development of epoxy-based sandwich composite panel with hollow glass microspheres/clay hybrid core and banana fiber facesheet for structural applications

This study focuses on improving the mechanical properties of sandwich composites by developing epoxy-based sandwich composite panels with hollow glass microspheres/nanoclay hybrid core and banana fiber facesheets for structural applications. The mechanical performance of sandwich composite panels made with hollow glass microspheres (HGM)/nanoclay hybrid core with banana fibers face-sheet composites panel is investigated in this work. The HGM content of the core was varied from 1 wt% to 3 wt% in the sandwich composites panel, while the nanoclay content of the core was varied from 1 wt% to 5 wt% in each of the HGM-filled series of the sandwich composite panel, these sandwich composite panels were fabricated using a conventional resin casting method. In this investigation, the mechanical, water absorption, and buoyancy behavior are thoroughly studied and the findings revealed better improvement at the sandwich composites with hybrid core formulation with banana fiber facesheets than the sandwich composites without hybrid core formulation. This demonstrates that banana fiber with epoxy resin has a limited amount of strength when used without a hybrid core but delivers better performance when HGM and clay particles are mixed as the hybrid core because of excellent interfacial adhesion between the hybrid core and the matrix. The improved mechanical properties could suggest that this material may be suitable for application in industries where sandwich structures that are lightweight with good mechanical properties are required. This study showed a new area of sandwich structure development by enhancing mechanical properties using hybrid core and banana fibers.

Development of hBN/natural fibres reinforced polymer composites using grey relation grade analysis for thermal and electrical applications

The objective of this work is to enhance the thermal conductivity and electrical properties of polymer hybrid composites through a systematic novel grey relation grade analysis (GRGA) optimization approach. This involves reinforcing the hybrid composites with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and various kinds of natural fibers or fillers. The development of a unique technology to produce multiphase composites using 2% of natural fibers or fillers such as coir fiber, rice husk filler, wood filler (WF), banana fiber (BF) and sugarcane fiber along with hBN (1, 3, 5 wt.%) particulates as reinforcements in epoxy matrix. The Taguchi L15 matrix array is utilized to fabricate interlaced composite samples via hand layup molding. Ultrasonic waves are used to ensure the uniform distribution of hBN filler into the matrix. Analysis of variance and GRGA reveal the significant results. It shows that the multiphase hybrid composites exhibit good thermal conductivity when higher content of hBN (5 wt.%) particulate for all the micro particulate polymer (MPP) composites. Multi-response optimization shows that the micro BF (2 wt.%) interlaces with hBN (5 wt.%) composite exhibits the higher thermal conductivity and electrical resistance compared to all other natural fiber interlaced composites. The aforementioned MPP composite has thermal conductivity of 1.03 W (m·K)−1 and electrical resistance of 279.88 Giga Ohms. Besides, the WF interlaced hBN (5 wt.%) composite shows the minimum dielectric constant compared to all other natural fiber composites. This desirable result is caused by the proper dispersion of hBN with the matrix which encourages interlocking with the fiber and the matrix. Maximum electrical resistance is observed for composite containing 5 wt.% of h-BN and 2 wt.% of BF. The developed MPP composite could be used in heat shields, electrical insulation components, and interior automotive components like dashboards, luggage compartments and interior walls.

Evaluation and Analysis of Elastic and Mechanical Characteristics of Hybrid Composite Incorporating Banana Fiber, Kenaf Fiber, and Nano-CaCO3

Evaluation and Analysis of Elastic and Mechanical Characteristics of Hybrid Composite Incorporating Banana Fiber, Kenaf Fiber, and Nano-CaCO3

Optimization of banana fibers degumming by high temperature alkaline method and spinning

Banana fibers are a promising textile resource. However, due to their high gum and lignin content, the development of an efficient degumming method is crucial for their successful utilization. This article researches an improved traditional fiber degumming method using the high temperature alkali method, and the effects of sodium hydroxide concentration, time and temperature on the physical properties of banana fibers were investigated through a single factor experiment. The banana fibers were characterized with FTIR, XRD, SEM and chemical composition. The optimized process parameters of degumming can be achieved. The processing temperature was 140 °C and sodium hydroxide concentration was 10% for 1h. The weight loss and residual gum ratio of the fibers reached 51.84 and 4.13% respectively, the breaking strength was 5.57 cN/dtex, and the crystallinity was increased to 61.33%. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of this new degumming method. Additionally, the optimized banana fibers employed a softening process and were subsequently blended with cotton fibers at a 60/40 ratio for 60tex blended yarn. The breaking strength of the blended yarn was 6.22cN/tex, and the bacterial inhibition ratio was above 70%. This improved method is more suitable for mass production with a high degumming efficiency, and has great potential in the industry. Meanwhile, the excellent antimicrobial properties of banana fibers provide new ideas for development in bedding and clothing applications.

Thermoplastic-polymer matrix composite of banana/betel nut husk fiber reinforcement: Physico-mechanical properties evaluation

Abstract Reinforced composite made of polypropylene combining banana and betel nut husk fiber (BBF) was treated with 10% NaOH (w/w). The fiber percentages of 40%, 50%, and 60% were used using the compression molding process. Properties such as tensile, bending, impact, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and water absorption were assessed as composite reinforcements. The composites with 50% BBF reinforcement performed better than composites with different fiber compositions. While 40% BBF-reinforced showed superior results in tensile, bending, and water absorption tests, the impact and TGA analyses provided comparatively lower results. The tensile strength (36 MPa), bending strength (78 MPa), energy absorption (2.4 Nm), thermal resistance (300–583°), and the maximum level of characteristics were attained. This work demonstrated the feasibility of repurposing waste banana stems and betel nut husks for interior decoration, furniture, and automobile bodies in fiber-reinforced hybrid composites, replacing expensive and environmentally hazardous artificial materials due to their mechanical capabilities.

An Experimental Study on the Hardness, Inter Laminar Shear Strength, and Water Absorption Behavior of Habeshian Banana Fiber Reinforced Composites

ABSTRACT The current study examines the effect of NaOH treatment on the hardness, inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) and water absorption behavior of epoxy composites reinforced with banana pseudostem fibers. Using the hand-lay-up method, six distinct samples are created that are composed of layers of woven and short banana fibers in both a plain and hybrid form. Plain- treated woven composites reveal the highest hardness and ILLS properties followed by the hybrid and short fiber composites. The random orientation of the fiber structure in short fiber composites results in the largest moisture absorption; this behavior is further supported by elucidating the kinetic parameters and diffusion coefficient parameters. SEM analysis confirms the improved surface of the NaOH-treated composite material.

Quality improvement of banana fiber through sequential enzymatic treatment

Quality improvement of banana fiber through sequential enzymatic treatment

Study on the Effect of Terminalia chebula Softening Treatment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Banana Fabric

ABSTRACT The demand for environmentally friendly clothing and fabrics continues to increase globally. Banana fiber is a sustainable fiber known for its high tensile strength. It can be effectively blended with cotton and various synthetic fibers to develop versatile fabrics. The fiber’s abrasive texture is a major problem, making it difficult to wear and limiting its application in the apparel industry. The study focuses on the utilization of Terminalia chebula, an organic material, as a softening agent to address these concerns and maintain the environmentally friendly nature of the banana fabric. The experiment involved treating the banana fabric with different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) of Terminalia chebula solution. The physical, comfort, and mechanical properties of the treated fabric are evaluated and compared to those of the untreated fabric. The results demonstrate that Terminalia chebula treated fabric has better comfort (both bending rigidity and stiffness) Notably, the treated fabric shows a substantial improvement in crease recovery and drapability. However, no effective improvement was found in tensile and seam strength. In addition, the study explores the potential of T. chebula as a multifunctional textile finish, making a valuable contribution to the growth of sustainable and eco-friendly textile finishing methods.

Optimized machine learning with hyperparameter tuning and response surface methodology for predicting tribological performance in bio‐composite materials

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of NaOH treatment on tribological behavior in hybrid fiber‐reinforced composites, specifically employing Banana fiber with Al2O3 filler in an epoxy matrix. Through design of experiments (DOE), disc speed, wear duration, and NaOH treatment are analyzed for specific wear rate (SWR) and coefficient of friction (COF). To advance the understanding of wear characteristics, the study leverages advanced machine learning, using Python‐powered artificial neural networks (ANN), is integrated with innovative ANN hyperparameter optimization. Optimized parameters (1050 rpm, 60 s, 5% treatment) significantly minimize SWR (12.38 × 10−5 mm3/Nm) and COF (0.2). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals improved interfacial adhesion and identifies micro‐cracks as the primary wear mechanism. This work contributes to a profound understanding of wear in hybrid composites, offering a fine‐tuned predictive model for optimizing tribological behavior and advancing material science and engineering.Highlights Reduced SWR, COF in composites via NaOH optimization. DOE: Explored disc speed, duration, NaOH impact. Advanced machine learning techniques enhanced wear prediction. Innovative: ANN hyperparameter optimization. Optimal Parameters: 1050 rpm, 60 s, 5% treatment.

Characteristics and Comparative Study of Sodium Hydroxide Treated Banana Fiber Reinforced Composite Material

Environmental issues have become a worldwide crisis because of the high rate of pollution and changing climate patterns. Due to innovations and discoveries, the need for materials is increasing day by day. Here, composite materials can be substituted for any other mono-clinic materials fulfilling the requirements of those particular materials. However, the maximum composite materials are man-made or artificially fabricated fibers. These are not environmentally friendly and bio-degradable, which creates an environmental hazard. So, scientists are trying to fabricate composite materials from eco-friendly and green resources. The main advantages of natural fibers are their low cost, easy availability, and low density. Besides these acceptable specific properties, ease of separation, increasing energy recovery, carbon-oxide neutrality, and recyclable properties are increasing the popularity of natural fiber. In this study, we have used mainly two types of banana fiber for preparing the composite specimens, especially highlighting the hybrid fiber, which is made by mixing those two types of fiber: “Shobri” and “Champa” banana fibers. These names are renowned locally in Bangladesh. In this study, polyester and MEKP are used as matrix and hardener sequentially. We have accomplished a chemical treatment process. The treating process was accomplished in the alkaline medium with two different molar concentrations of NaOH. These are 1% and 5% solutions of NaOH. After the treatment neutralization process was performed with a 1 gm/L acetic acid solution. In addition, two distinct mechanical tests— the bending and tensile tests—were carried out. The results indicated that the hybrid fiber treated with 1% NaOH had the highest tensile properties; its Young’s modulus was around 625 MPa and its tensile strength was approximately 36.42 MPa. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of Champa banana fiber treated with 1% and 5% NaOH solutions were the lowest, respectively. Approximate values are 1.82 GPa and 18.3 MPa. The flexural strength of hybrid fiber treated with 1% and 5% NaOH was the highest and lowest in that order. 69.2 MPa and 56.21 MPa, respectively, are their values. Regarding flexural modulus, Champa fiber treated with 5% and 1% NaOH exhibits the highest and lowest values, measuring roughly 4 and 1.82 GPa, respectively.

Development of eco-friendly bio-composites using banana fibers for enhanced tensile and flexural properties

The synthetic fiber composite materials have witnessed widespread adoption in high-performance applications due to their lightweight and high-strength properties. However, the non-renewable and non-biodegradable nature of synthetic fibers has raised environmental concerns. This has spurred research into natural fiber composites, often referred to as “bio-composites,” as sustainable alternatives to synthetic counterparts. Among these, bio-composites reinforced with natural fibers include banana, coir, jute, silk, sisal, and bamboo have gained significant attention as industrial materials. This research endeavor focuses on the development of banana fiber-reinforced composites using hand lay-up and VARTM methods techniques and explores their mechanical properties. Three distinct types of composites were fabricated, employing natural banana fibers and banana fabric as reinforcement materials, with epoxy resin as the matrix. Mechanical characterization encompassing tensile and flexural properties was conducted to assess the performance of the bio-composites. SEM with EDS analysis revealed distinct microstructural features and elemental compositions. The bio-composites manufactured via the VARTM method employing banana fabrics exhibited significant enhancements in mechanical properties. The bio-composites made with VARTM showed an impressive 160 % improvement inflexural strength and a 217 % increase in tensile strength when compared to the hand-layup method. The findings of this experimental study underscore the superior load-carrying capacity of bio-composites fabricated through the VARTM method and banana fabric reinforcement when compared to other combinations. This research underscores the potential of banana fibers as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers in composite materials, contributing to eco-friendly and environmentally responsible solutions in various high-performance industries

Bio-degradable waste banana and neem fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites: characteristics study

Bio-degradable waste banana and neem fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites: characteristics study

False banana fiber reinforced geopolymer composite – A novel sustainable material

A new geopolymer composite material was produced using low-calcium fly ash and false banana plant fiber. The effect of fiber content and length on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the resulting composite material was investigated. Results showed that the addition of alkali-treated false banana fiber significantly improved the compressive and splitting tensile strength of the composites. In particular, incorporating a 10 mm length fiber at a 1.4 % volume fraction increased compressive and splitting tensile strength by 31 % and 33 %, respectively, when compared to the pure geopolymer paste specimens. Furthermore, unlike the neat geopolymer paste specimens, all composites failed gracefully. In addition to this, FTIR absorption peaks and SEM micrographs demonstrated that alkali treatment effectively changes fiber morphology and chemical characteristics. Additionally, fiber pull-out, fiber bridging, and fiber fracture were identified as energy-absorbing mechanisms responsible for increasing the mechanical properties of the composites. In general, the results showed that using natural false banana fiber as reinforcement enhances the mechanical properties of geopolymer composites, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers in composite production.

Maximizing fiber content in 3D-printed earth materials: Printability, mechanical, thermal and environmental assessments

Earth building materials are experiencing a new renaissance with novel avenues in advanced manufacturing methods such as 3D printing. However, current mix designs are still limited to little to no fiber reinforcement, which can improve ductility and thermal resistivity of the fabricated building assemblies. This research develops 3D printable earth-fiber composites while maximizing natural fiber content for low-carbon and high-performance materials in additive manufacturing. A range of mix designs are formulated and characterized for their printability, mechanical, thermal, and environmental carbon storage performance. The results of this work present successfully developed novel earthen mixtures with natural fiber content ranging from commonplace “cob” (2%wt fiber) to newly developed “light fiber clay” (up to13%wt fiber content and 49% by total volume), incorporating a range of agrowastes products, including wheat straw, hemp, banana, and kenaf fibers. The performance assessment results showcase meaningful improvement of the fiber-reinforced mix designs as opposed to the earthen counterparts, with up to 125% higher compressive strength and up to 86% lower thermal conductivity. The significance of this work lies in the advancement of sustainable and circular materials and assemblies for future manufacturing of socially equitable built environments.