Paolo Reyes Balleza, Peter Sherwin Arioste (February 1999)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The banana plant Musa musaceae is a large perennial plant. It is widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Bananas are internationally important as foodstuff especially in Southeast Asia.
This research was conducted to determine if the production of artificial wood boards from banana fibers is possible.
Banana stalks were gathered from Barotac Viejo and areas near the campus. The gathered trunk was then washed until clean. Brushing the stalk lengthwise with the steel brush did the extraction of the fibers. An improvised metal press was also made by using two pieces of 2’X2′ GI sheets and. The fibers were then dried of excess moisture under solar heat and then transferred to an oven for further removal of moisture. The resin was then applied to the seasoned fibers then placed on the metal press for a period of two weeks until the resin was fully cured. Testing was done shortly after the product came out of the press. Testing included the hammer, nail, saw, and weather tests.