A Study Analysis of Fibers from Banana Trees in North Thailand for Product Creation

Abstract

This research is the analytical study of fibers from banana trees in northern area. The study has been conducted on planted banana-species areas in 5 northern provinces. There are 9 studied banana species. The objectives of the studies are to utilize these mentioned banana species for product creation. It is also to find out the banana-fiber-extraction process for new materials used as guidelines to design new products which help generate extra revenue for farmers after harvest season. The result from the research indicates that the most appropriate species for the research is Musa acuminata Colla due to its strongest texture in term of thickness. The leftovers of banana (stalk and pseudo stem in dried form) after agricultural process have been extracted into straight fiber ropes. Then, they are processed into straight fiber ropes through hand-cutting by northern villagers. As for the 5 types of natural fibers. It is found that banana fibers mixed with hemp fibers at 50% proportion for each yields the highest pull force of 678.71 N. To sum up, the manufacturing production and creation is in a good level, by average value 4.17 and the product users’ satisfactions is a good level, by average value 4.07.