Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

Abstract: The aims of the present study is to extract and characterize the fibers of Cameroonian banana tree stalk (HB) from the” faux French” variety. The fibers are extracted by retting method. Structural, functional and thermal properties where then determined. The physico-mechanical properties such as density, linear density, moisture content, water absorption rate, moisture recovery rate and tensile properties were evaluated. These values showed that the banana tree stalk has good properties comparable to certain cellulosic fibers. The structural, functional and thermal analysis showed that type 1 cellulose is the major constituent of fiber from the banana tree stalk with amorphous structure having 3.61 crystallinity degree. The elongation vibrations of functional groups such as hydroxyl groups are those present in the cellulose molecule. In addition, the degradation temperature is between 3120C and 4410C. Physico-mechanical analyzes have shown that banana tree stalk fibers can take up 10.57 to 11.25% of humidity and can absorb more than 100% of water. Tensile mechanical properties show that the fibers are elastic, rigid and resistant. The elongation varies from 3.73 to 3.98%, the tenacity from 0.07 to 0.17 N/Tex, the breaking force from 3.13 N to 4.32 N and the initial modulus from 2.17 to 5.84 GPa. Banana tree stalk fiber can be used for similar applications as flax, sisal and ramie fibers.