A Comparative Study of the Effect of Microwave Curing on Tensile Strength of Banana Fiber-Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Composites

This study investigates the tensile strength of polymer-NF (natural fiber) composites fabricated with banana fibers reinforcing high-density polyethylene (HDPE), comparing samples with and without microwave curing. Besides that, the study explores the impact of surface chemical treatments including mercerization, caustic potash treatment, and chalk-coating treatment, on the banana fibers. The composites with treated banana fibers exhibit improved tensile strength compared to those with untreated fibers Furthermore, microwave curing is examined as a novel processing method for these composites, with results showing that it significantly enhances tensile strength when compared to conventional room temperature and oven curing. Microwave curing offers benefits such as volumetric heating, quick processing, and reduced power consumption. This study explores the effects of microwave curing parameters, that includes power outputs and curing period, on the tensile strength, revealing an optimal combination of 450 W for 9 min for enhanced performance. It is noted that longer curing times at certain power outputs may lead to a decrease in tensile strength, an indication of potential degradation of materials. By leveraging these advancements, the replacement of environmentally harmful materials with superior products in the market can be achieved effectively.