Mechanical Behavior of Ensete ventricosum Fiber Under Tension Loading

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of Ensete ventricosum fibers, expressed as the dependency of tension force in relation to the elongation, was determined for fibers with gauge length 50 mm and transformed into general linear mathematical model describing dependency of tension stress and strain. The average rupture force (10.88 ± 1.11) N, rupture stress (390.33 ± 21.96) MPa, rupture strain (0.021 ± 2 · 10–5), and volume energy (3.39 ± 0.22) J m−3 were also determined at this conducted study. Using image analyses, it was determined that the cross section of Ensete ventricosum fiber has circle shape and its dimension was specified. From the study, it implies that Ensete ventricosum fiber, with respect to its mechanical behavior under tension loading having regard to its density and to the fact that it is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and recyclable, could be used as a perspective construction material of the future. Determined model of mechanical behavior could be applied as background for further research focused on the Ensete fiber application.

Keywords

• deformation characteristic
• elongation
• mathematical model
• strain
• stress
• tensile properties