Banana (Musa)

Type: Natural fibre | Classification: Vegetable fibres | Sub-classification: From stem



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Fibre structure & physical properties


Fibre composition:

Cellulose

Diameter: 14 to 50 μm
Very fine: < 10 μm, Fine: < 20 μm, Medium: 20-50 μm, Course: > 50 μm

Length: Staple

Staple length: 1.5 - 3.5m
short < 26 mm, medium 26-29 mm, long: 30-38 mm, extra long: 39 mm and over

Natural fibre colour: Slightly dull yellowish colour

Microscopic Images (Cross sectional and SEM):

Image source:

Alavudeen, A, Rajini, N, Karthikeyan, S, Thiruchitrambalam, M, and Venkateshwaren, N. “Mechanical Properties of Banana/kenaf Fiber-reinforced Hybrid Polyester Composites: Effect of Woven Fabric and Random Orientation.” Materials and Design 66 (2015): 246-57. Web.

Caption:

Complex, multiple celled structures. A narrow lumens are large in relation to the wall thickness.

(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom
(CC) Sebastian Nordstrom

Comment:

Cross markings are rare and fiber tips pointed and flat, ribbons like.

Fibre properties (Mechanical, Chemical and Thermal)


Mechanical Properties

Tensile strength (cN/dtex) :

Chemical Properties

Hydrophobicity: Hydrophilic

Moisture regain (%): 13%

Thermal Properties

Flammability: Cellulosic fibres such as cotton, hemp jute etc. burns with a steady flame and smells like burning paper or leaves. The ash is greyish and easily crushed.

Sustainability considerations


End uses


used in handicraft product developments such as mat, rope and twines

Videos


How Ecofriendly banana fibre sarees are made? [1m 5s]
Biodegradable Banana Fibre Sanitary Pads [1m 48s]

Materials using this fibre


Additional resources


Taylor MA, 2004. Technology of Textile Properties. Third edition. Forbes Publications, London, UK.

Zhong Z and Xiao C, 2008. Fabric composition and testing. In: Fabric Testing. Ed: Hu, J. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, UK.

ISO/TR 11827:2012 Textiles — Composition testing — Identification of fibres.

Houck, Max M. Identification of Textile Fibers. Cambridge : Boca Raton: Woodhead Pub. in Association with The Textile Institute ; CRC, 2009. Print.