TITLE:
Effect of Surface Treatment and Fiber Orientation on the Tensile and Morphological Properties of Banana Stem Fiber Reinforced Natural Rubber Composite
AUTHORS:
Ikechukwu Christian Ezema, A. R. Ravindranatha Menon, Camelus Sunday Obayi, Augustin Dinobi Omah
KEYWORDS:
Natural Fiber, Banana Fiber, Natural Rubber, Tensile Properties, SEM, Fiber Orientation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.2 No.3,
May
20,
2014
ABSTRACT: A mixture of NaOH and Na2SO3 was used in modification of banana stem fibers (BSF). Unidirectional BSF reinforced natural rubber (NR) lamina composites were made using compression moulding method. The results of the tensile loading in 0°, 45° and 90° to the fiber directions of the composite with fiber mass fraction of 30% were studied. Surface modification of the BSF with a mixture of 4% NaOH and 2% Na2SO3 increased the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the composite to 4.03 MPa and 147.34 MPa respectively from 3.12 MPa and 84.30 MPa of the untreated. Variation in properties due to fiber orintations was observed indicating a higher value of properties in the 0° fiber orientation than in 45° and 90° directions. The result of scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of the surfaces of the fibers indicted an improvement in bonding of the fiber bundles prior to lamination with natural rubber as a result of surface treatment which resulted in its higher tensile strength.