Behaviour of vacuum casting plastic composites under different treatments of banana fibres

Abstract

Nowadays, the natural fibres market is having an important growth due to the commitment of contemporary society with the sustainable development that leads the natural resources preservation and the environment protection. Fibres from banana food wastes provide high mechanical properties related to other natural fibers such as flax, sisal, hemp, etc. The aim of the present research work is to compare different banana fibres processing in order to improve the matrix fibre adhesion and behavior of fibre under processing conditions. Simple Anova analysis has been implemented on four different formulations: 1. No fibre processing, 2. Alkaline processing with Caustic Soda (NaOH), 3 Maleic Anhydride, 4. Combination of Soda and Maleic Anhydride. Several samples of MTT 8040 resin, under vacuum casting, with silicone moulds, conditions, have been done. Mechanical properties and efficiency factors of adhesion fibre-matrix have been determined and compared.