Studies on the Properties of Banana Fibers-Reinforced Thermoplastic Cassava Starch Composites: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Banana fibers received four treatments, namely squeezing, alkali and hydrogen peroxide treatment, washing with water, and drying. Thermoplastic starch composites was prepared with glycerol as the plasticizer, banana fiber as reinforcement and thermoplastic cassava starch as matrix. The banana fiber could increase processing torque highly, while the effects of fiber contents on peak torque at 3min was so obvious. X-ray diffractograms illustrated that with increasing fiber content, cellulose crystallinity at 22.5° gradually got stronger but starch crystallinity at 20° almost didn’t. SEM micrographs showed good dispersion and adhesion between starch and fiber. Studies in the dependence of mechanical properties of reinforced TPS on the contents of fiber that with increasing fiber content from 0 to 20phr, the initial tensile strength was trebled up to 14.46 MPa, while the elongation at break was reduced from 68 to 13%. TG mass loss curves showed that thermal stability of this composites had great improved under 500°C.

Processing and Characterisation of Banana Leaf Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Cassava Starch Composites

“…Moreover, the surface of the fibre appeared to be covered by TPCS and the breakage of the fibre could be clearly seen. This finding might be ascribed to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the TPCS and the fibre [44].…”

“…The material was also found to degrade under natural environmental conditions. Another study by Mo et al [44] used thermoplastic cassava starch and cellulose fibre and proved that the modification of thermoplastic starch had improved the properties of the material. The moisture absorption had reduced, while the mechanical and thermal properties had increased.…”

Characteristic of thermoplastics corn starch composite reinforced short pineapple leaf fibre by using laminates method

“…This is because it is sustainable, abundant, natural and biodegradable. In addition, starch is capable to show thermoplastic behavior under high temperature and shear stress [14,15]. Starch comprises of two major parts, the linear amylose and the highly branched amylopectin [16].…”

Cassava: Its polymer, fiber, composite, and application

“…Since starch is sustainable, natural, biodegradable, and abundant, it is the most favorable material to produce biodegradable plastics and relevant composites. Besides, it can also show thermoplastics attitude when there is utmost stress and high temperature . In order to develop and increase the moisture resistance and mechanical characteristics of the hybrid composite, it is preferable to hybridize the natural fiber like synthetic fiber and kenaf .…”