Abstract

• In this present work, composites are made by using untreated banana stem fiber, alkali treated banana stem fiber and natural rubber. A mixture of 4 % NaOH and 2 % Na2SO3 were used for modification of banana stem fiber (BSF). The alkali treatment was conducted to reduce the lignin content on the surface of fiber and to improve the adhesion between the rubber and matrix. The natural rubber-banana stem fiber composites were prepared by moulding method with various weight ratio (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of untreated and treated banana stem fiber. The untreated and alkali treated banana stem fiber were characterized by modern techniques such as FT IR and SEM. The mechanical properties such as hardness, specific gravity, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of natural rubber- banana stem fiber composites were then determined by standard rubber testing methods.