Study of treated and in natural banana fibers as a possible material for reinforcement in polymeric composites

Abstract

The use of lignocellulosic fibers and their constituents has aroused interest in their application as a raw material in the production of polymers, representing an opportunity to add economic value to industrial waste and to sustainable technological development. This work carried out the study of the banana fiber in natural form and with alkaline treatment, through characterization of the thermal and chemical properties, in order to evaluate the structures and the best ways of using fiber as reinforcement in polymeric materials. Results found showed variations of percentages of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the main components of banana fiber, when compared to in natural fiber with treated fiber. These effects impacted the physical characteristics of the fiber surface with increasing roughness, which favors the matrix anchoring process. It was also observed for the thermal behavior of the fiber in the matter of treated fiber, with the most severe degradation in the fiber in natural.