STUDY ON SCOURING-BLEACHING PROCESS OF BANANA FIBER BY CHEMICAL METHOD

Abstract

Banana fiber is one of long and strong natural fibers, possessing many superior properties (such as
water resistant, antimicrobial, fire retardant, wrinkle resistant…) similar to those of flax, jute, ramie &
cotton fibers, so it can be completely de-gummed, softened, combed and spun to be used in haute
couture, decorative, furniture and industrial products. However, after being stripped and decorticated,
the banana fiber still contains lot of pectin & lignin, so it is rough, dark colour and has limited spinnability.
This article studies and compares two typical processes of scouring-bleaching banana fiber by chemical
method. The research team has carried out two options of scouring-bleaching process: 1) Scouring-
bleaching banana fiber in diluted solution of H2O2 5% in combination with NaOH 4%, liquid ratio 1:20, at
95o
C during 30 minutes; 2) Scouring-bleaching banana fiber in diluted solution of H2O2 0.5% in
combination with NaOCl 0.25%, liquid ratio 1:20, at 95o
C during 30 minute. Based on the testing results
of tensile strength, whiteness index, and weight loss; scouring-bleaching process and bleaching
parameters were chosen. The best results were obtained by the option 2 (combination of two bleaches:
hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite): fiber tensile strength loss, fiber weight loss and fiber
whiteness index were equivalent to those of the option 1 but with 12 times reduction of used chemicals
compared to the option 1.