Abstract
In the past decade, the substitution of conventional composite materials with natural fibres such as agricultural by-products has become common in the production of sustainable construction materials. The purpose of this study is to assess the properties of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) pseudo-stem fibres, plantain bunch fibres, and rice (Oryza sativa) husk as sources of reinforcing elements for composite materials especially for construction application. Experiments were conducted to test and analysis the fibres and the husk for surface texture, length and diameter, specific weight, water absorption, and tensile strength. It was revealed that the fibres and the husk have different lengths and diameters, and their surface texture was found to be rough which is likely to improve the bond between the fibres/husk and the matrix. It was also found that the specific weight (between 0.35 ± 0.043 and 0.67 ± 0.089 g/cm3), water absorption (between 58 ± 6.12 and 245 ± 37.03%), tensile strength (between 59.9 ± 10.62 and 101.6 ± 20.02 N/mm2), and stress–strain properties of the fibres and the husk are within acceptable parameters for natural fibre application. The study, therefore, concludes that the plantain pseudo-stem fibres, plantain bunch fibres, and rice husk possess properties that are suitable for use as reinforcement in composite material for construction application.
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Data Availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
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Acknowledgements
The author wish to thank Edmund Borbi, George Opare Anim, and Alfred Osei who are laboratory technicians at the Construction Laboratory of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Ghana, for their assistance during the experimental activities.
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Danso, H. Properties of Plantain Pseudo-Stem Fibres, Plantain Bunch Fibres, and Rice Husk for Construction Application. Mater Circ Econ 3, 15 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-021-00028-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-021-00028-0