Engineering and Technology Journal

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the chemical
treatment of banana fibers on the physical properties of composites. Banana fibers
were treated with 10% sodium hydroxide and some physical tests were carried out
like: dielectric strength, dielectric constant, and thermal conductivity. The results
were compared with untreated fibers composites and virgin unsaturated polyester.
The results showed that the chemical treatment improved the dielectric strength
and thermal conductivity by about 29.37% and 139% respectively compared with
untreated fiber composites. Finally, the dielectric constant value of the treated
fiber composite was found to be lower than the untreated fiber composite and
virgin unsaturated polyester.