Banana fibre

Banana fibre, Pine apple leaf fibre (PALE) homogenisation by 15 passes through a laboratory homogeniser, operated at 500 bars and 90-95°C TEMPO mediated oxidation Acid treatment coupled with high pressure Banana fibre having 4-5 nm in diameter... 

Cherian et al. [87] extracted cellulose nanofibres from the pseudo stem of the banana plant by using acid treatment coupled with high pressure defibrillation. Characterization of the fibres by (Scanning Force Microscopy) SFM and TEM showed that there is reduction in the size of banana fibres to the nanometre range (below 40 nm). The average length and diameter of the developed nanofibrils were found to be between 200-250 nm and 4-5 nm, respectively. Figures 1.22a, b and 1.23 show the SFM and TEM pictures of banana nanofibres, respectively. 

Cherian BM, Pothan LA, Nguyen-Chung T, Mennig G, Kottaisamy M, Thomas S et al (2008) A novel method for the synthesis of cellulose nanofibril whiskers Irom banana fibres and characterization. J Agric Food Chem 56 5617-5627... 

Ganan P et al (2005) Surface modification of sisal fibers effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of their epoxy composites. Polym Compos 26(2) 121-127 Pothan LA, Thomas S, Groeninckx G (2006) The role of fibre/matrix interactions on the dynamic mechanical properties of chemically modified banana fibre lyester composites. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 37(9) 1260-1269... 

Pothan C, Thomas S, Groeninckx G (2006) The role of fibre/matrix interactions on the dynamic mechanical properties of chemically modified banana fibre/polyester. Compos A 37 1260-1269... 

Banana fibre (BaF) is extracted from the waste product of banana cultivation. Due to high cellulose content and comparatively low micro-fibrillar angle, it has superior mechanical properties, especially tensile strength and modulus. It is thus... 

Recently, Liu et al. [34] prepared banana fibre (BaF)-filled composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/polyaminde-6 (PA 6) blends via a two-step extrusion method. Maleic anhydride grafted styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene triblock polymer (SEBS-g-MA) and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) were used to enhance impact performance and interfacial bonding between BaF and the resins. Mechanical, crystaUization/melting, thermal stability, water absorption and... 

Fig. 23.6 (a) FT-IR spectra of banana fibres after different treatments, (b) FT-IR spectra of cellulose micro-fibres produced under different reaction conditions [32]... 

Agarwal et al. [35] analysed the variation of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of banana fibre-reinforced polyester composites caused by the addition of glass fibre. They observed that the thermal conductivity of composites increased when compared with the matrix. However, the thermal conductivity of the composites with increased percentage of glass fibre decreases in comparison to composite of pure banana fibre. 

Annie Paul et al. [36] studied short randomly oriented PP/banana fibre composites. The thermophysical properties of the above composites were studied on the basis of different banana fibre loading and different chemical treatments given to the banana fibres. The incorporation of banana fibres into PP matrix induced a decrease of the effective thermal conductivity of the composite. The use of the theoretical series conduction model allowed to estimate the transverse thermal conductivity of untreated banana fibre composites. As was expected, the series model appears sufficient for the effective thermal conductivity estimation of this kind of composites. All the chemical treatments enhanced both thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the composite considerably in varying degrees. This indicates that the chemical treatment allows a better contact between the fibre and the matrix and reduces considerably the thermal contact resistance. Nevertheless, a significant increase of the thermal conductivity was observed only for benzoylated and 10% NaOH-treated fibre composites. Besides, the variations of density and specific heat upon fibre chemical treatment are small compared to their associated uncertainties. 

Of late many of the major car manufacturers now use biocomposites in various applications, e.g., door trim panels made of polyurethane (PU)-flax/sisal mat in Audi A2 midrange car jute-based door panels in Mercedes E-class polyester-cotton fibres in Trabant car under floor protection trim of Mercedes A class made from banana fibre-reinforced composites and the Mercedes S class automotive components made from different bio-fibre-reinforced composites. All these so-called biocomposites use natural fibres but the resin matrix is always an oil-derived synthetic material. 

Fig. 23.15 (a) Under floor protection trim of Mercedes A class made from banana fibre-reinforced composites, (b) Newest Mercedes S class automotive components made from different bio-fibre-reinforced composites [79]... 

Natural origin eeo fibre - Organic cotton, organic silk, Ahimsa silk, organic wool. Hemp, bamboo, Kenaf, jute, Sasawashi, Nettle, Sisal, Coconut fibre or Coir, [Banana] fibre. Ramie and Mesta/Roselle. Highly processed natural origin fibre - Rayon type Modal, Lyocell/ Tencel, Ingeo, Seacell. 

Banana fibre is made from waste banana trees, and is a completely natural, extremely strong fibre. An Australian technology enabling this also ensures that the final product uses no chemicals, bleaches or glues. The product uses banana sap as glue. Since the product... 

Composite materials made with natural fibres such as hemp, flax, ramie, banana, jute or chicken feathers as the reinforcing agents, and... 

Fig. 1.16 Scanning electron micrographs of cross-sections of fibres (a and b) banana [a 500x b 18,000x] (C and d) bagasse [c 200x d 500x ] and (e and f) sponge gourd [e 500x b 5000x] [48]...

Structure with the crystallinity indices of 39%, 48% and 50% for banana, bagasse and sponge gourd fibres, respectively. 

Fig. 1.23 Transmission electron micrographs of the banana nano fibres [87]...

Guimaraesa JL, Frollini E, da Silva CG, Wypychc F, Satyanarayanac KG et al (2009) Characterization of banana, sugarcane bagasse and sponge gourd fibres of Brazil. Ind Crop Prod 30 407-415... 

Justiz-Smith NG, Virgo GJ, Buchanan VE (2008) Potential of Jamaican banana, coconut coir and bagasse fibres as composite materials. Mater Charact 59 1273-1278... 

Figure 11.1 Examples of some agro-residual fibers, (a) okra fiber (From 1. M. De Rosa et al. Composites Science and Technology, 2011 [14]. With Permission from Elsevier) (b) banana fiber (From A. V. R. Prasad, K. M. Rao, G. Ragavinirasulu, Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research, 2009 [30]. With permission from Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research)-, (c) corn husk fiber [31].

A.V.R. Prasad, K.M. Rao, and G. Ragavinirasulu, Mechanical properties of banana empty fruit bunch fiber reinforced polyester composites. Indian J. Fibre Text. Res. 34, 162-167, (2009). 

Papyrus is used in making hard board in East Africa. Insulation boards and plastic-bonded boards have also been prepared from reeds. Other miscellaneous fibres include banana leaves, grasses, palm, sorghum while many fibres have been used successfully in the laboratory to produce boards, most of these materials have not been used commercially because of cost or other factors [4]. 

Idicula M, Malhotra SK, Joseph K, Thomas S. Dynamic mechanical analysis of randomly oriented intimately mixed short banana/sisal hybrid fibre reinforced polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol 2005 65 1077-1087. 

Fibres are removed from the abaca s stalk to make ropes, clothing, and paper-based materials. These plants thrive weU in shaded and cool habitats and resemble the banana plant in many respects. 

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