Banana fiber/low-density polyethylene recycled composites for third world eco-friendly construction applications – Waste for life project Sri Lanka

Abstract

In the framework of the waste for life Sri Lanka project, low value industrial low-density polyethylene waste plastics and banana fibers made from agricultural waste are upcycled into affordable eco-friendly building products. This creates income for the local communities while mitigating waste disposal and reducing ecological problems. Within this context, a robust manufacturing method using compression molding was developed. Panels with varying fiber content were manufactured using unchopped and chopped fibers. Low-density polyethylene characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to compare plastic sources was conducted. To reduce cost, no fiber treatments or compatibilizers were used. An estimate of critical fiber length was found to be around 1.45 cm to 2.5 cm. A trend of increasing strength with fiber content (up to 40 wt.%) was achieved by using longer fibers than in the previous research. Handling and dispersion of the fibers were increased by chopping the fibers to 20 cm lengths, which led to an increase in tensile strength due to easier manufacturing. Cross-ply panels made with fibers chopped to a length of 20 cm were found to be strongest peaking at around 40 wt.% with a tensile strength of 32.8 MPa, a fourfold increase compared to a raw low-density polyethylene (0 wt.%) panel.

Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of Kelani River to Mahaoya

“…Plastic pellets were primarily found in off-white, while a few were found in different colors; brown, and black (Figure 11a). They were identified as medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), and PP by the FTIR-ATR analysis (Figure 11b) [49]. The FTIR-ATR spectrum of white pellet confirmed the type as MDPE with the characteristic peaks of asymmetric, symmetric C-H stretching, C-H2 bending deformation, and C-H2 rocking deformation at 2927, 2852, 1463, and 720 cm − 1 respectively (Figure 11b).…”

Challenges on machining characteristics of natural fiber-reinforced composites – A review

“…Fibers of raffia, such as flax, kenaf, hemp, etc., were the fabric of selection for the automotive, aerospace, packaging, and alternative industrial applications, whereas wood plastic composites (WPCs) were most well-liked by construction makers. 46,47 An entire indulgence of thermoelastic property of natural fibers is additionally crucial to rationally predict their potential performance in numerous fields of application. 34 The NFC market was priced $3.36 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to succeed in $6.50 billion in 2021.…”

Mechanical, water uptake properties, and biodegradability of polystyrene‐coated sisal fiber‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene

“…[1,2] There are many natural fibers produced from plants and used as reinforcing materials to enhance the biodegradability of polymeric materials. Many researchers have investigated the use of natural fibers such as sugarcane, [3] sisal, [4] banana, [5] jute, [6] and bamboo [7] for these purposes. Among the available plant fibers, sisal is a hard fiber produced from the Agave sisalana plant.…”