Strength Properties of Surface-Modified Giant Cavendish (Musa acuminata) Banana Fibers

ABSTRACT

This study focused on examining and comparing the strength properties of untreated and surface-modified Giant Cavendish banana fibers. The banana fibers were mercerized using 0.06 M Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and treated using 0.003 M Potassium Permanganate (KMnO₄) solutions. The untreated and surface-modified fibers were then subjected to a tensile test and the results analyzed using the Weibull Cumulative Distribution Function. KMnO₄ treated banana fibers had a mean tensile strength of 209.321 ± 22.619 MNm⁻², which translated to a 65.92% gain in strength while the mercerized banana fibers had a mean tensile strength of 162.233 ± 7.976 MNm⁻², which was a 28.60% gain in strength. Mercerized banana fibers recorded a Weibull modulus of 7.6096 compared to the untreated fibers (4.7042) and KMnO₄ treated fibers (3.2135). The banana fiber surface-modification using KMnO₄ resulted in stronger fibers. However, the lower Weibull modulus of 3.2135 can be attributed to the introduction of flaws in to the fiber structure by the KMnO₄ treatment.

摘要

这项研究的重点是检查和比较未经处理和表面改性的巨型卡文迪什香蕉纤维的强度性能. 香蕉纤维用0.06M氢氧化钠(NaOH)丝光, 并用0.003M高锰酸钾(KMnO4)溶液处理. 然后对未经处理和表面改性的纤维进行拉伸试验, 并使用威布尔累积分布函数对结果进行分析. 高锰酸钾处理的香蕉纤维的平均抗拉强度为209.321+22.619 MNm-2, 这意味着强度增加了65.92%, 而丝光处理的香蕉纤维的平均抗拉强度为162.233+7.976 MNm-2, 强度增加了28.60%. 丝光香蕉纤维的威布尔模量为7.6096, 而未经处理的纤维(4.7042)和高锰酸钾处理的纤维(3.2135). 使用高锰酸钾对香蕉纤维进行表面改性, 可获得更强的纤维. 然而, 3.2135的较低威布尔模量可归因于高锰酸钾处理在纤维结构中引入了缺陷.

KEYWORDS:

• Mercerization
• potassium permanganate
• banana
• fiber
• tensile strength
• Weibull

关键词:

• 丝光
• 高锰酸钾
• 香蕉
• 纤维
• 抗拉强度
• 韦布尔

Authors’ information

KIPCHUMBA J. Caren^a* is a graduate student pursuing MSc. Mechanical engineering (Applied Mechanics option) at the University of Nairobi. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5751-8017 www.linkedin.com/in/caren-kipchumba-a8684b73

Eng. Dr NJOROGE D. Kenneth^b is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nairobi. His research interests include solid mechanics, continuum mechanics and finite element analysis. https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/kennjoroge

Eng. Dr MUNYASI M. David^c is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nairobi. His research interests include solid mechanics, composites materials and engineering materials. https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/dmmunyasi/

Availability of data and materials

The data sets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Linear Regression Equation

Y = 5.9865X – 31.638

Linear Regression Equations

Y (untreated) = 4.7042X – 23.175

Y (NaOH) = 7.6096X – 39.201

Y (KMnO₄) = 3.2135X – 17.526