Banana fibre extraction and use as a filler in natural rubber compounds

Abstract

In this study banana fibres were extracted using three processes and advantages/drawbacks are discussed according to yield, extraction time, quality and properties of banana fibres obtained by each process. Three parts of banana tree (i.e. stem, mid rib and leaves) of two different types of banana trees (i.e. Seeni hesel and Aanamalu) have been analyzed. Two series of filled natural rubber compounds were prepared by changing flier loading from 0-50 phr using banana fibre and carbon black as fillers and physical properties were examined. Hardness increased with both banana fibre and carbon black loading. However, tensile strength decreased with banana fibre loading, while they increased with carbon black loading. These results suggested that the banana fibre could not be added as a reinforcing filler to replace carbon black in rubber compounds. However it can be added to rubber compounds as a diluent filler.