Development of a banana fibre-polyester resin composite for wall tiles.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2026
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Busitema University
Abstract
The increasing global demand for sustainable construction materials, coupled with the environmental challenges posed by agricultural waste disposal, necessitates the development of innovative, eco-friendly alternatives. This study focused on the development and characterization of a banana fiber-polyester resin composite for wall tile applications, utilizing banana pseudostem waste from the East African Highland Cooking Bananas (EAHCBs) grown in Uganda. Banana fibers were extracted using a mechanical decorticator and subjected to alkali treatment under five different conditions: A1 (2% NaOH, 30 min, 40°C), A2 (8% NaOH, 30 min, 100°C), A3 (2% NaOH, 150 min, 100°C), A4 (8% NaOH, 150 min, 40°C), and A5 (5% NaOH, 90 min, 70°C). The treated fibers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Composite wall tiles were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique with unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix, incorporating TiO₂ (1.5 wt%) and ZnO (3 wt%) nanofillers. The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural strength), physical properties (water absorption), and thermal properties (thermal degradation) of the composite tiles were evaluated and compared with conventional ceramic tiles. The results revealed that sample S2 (8% NaOH, 30 min, 100°C) exhibited the optimal balance of properties, with tensile strength of 31.25 MPa, flexural strength of 129.10 MPa, water absorption of 0.36-0.43%, and thermal stability up to 250°C. FTIR analysis confirmed successful removal of non-cellulosic components and improved fibre-matrix compatibility. SEM micrographs showed that treatment S2 produced compact, crack-free fibre cross-sections with fibre-matrix adhesion. Water absorption values below 0.5% classified the developed tiles as "impervious/porcelain" grade per ASTM C373. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis revealed that the developed banana fiber-polyester composite tiles are 35-40% more cost-effective than conventional ceramic tiles, with estimated production costs of UGX 45,000-55,000 per square meter compared to UGX 70,000-90,000 for ceramic tiles. The study concludes that banana fiber-polyester resin composites present a viable, sustainable, and economically attractive alternative for wall tile applications, addressing both agricultural waste management and the need for affordable construction materials
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Citation
Akanyijuka, M. (2026). Development of a banana fibre-polyester resin composite for wall tiles. [Unpublished dissertation]. Busitema University.