Suitability of Kahili ginger stem fibres for reinforcement/filler of polymeric matrix composites

• Kahili Ginger fibres were submitted to alkaline (A) and alkaline/silane (A/S) treatments • Fibres crystallinity increased with treatment A and even more with the A/S • A/S fibres showed thermal stability up to 200°C and the lowest water absorption (24%) • Elastic modulus rised from 14.6 GPa in the untreated fibers to 23 GPa after A/S treatment • A/S treated fibres show great potential for reinforcement in polymer composites Kahili ginger (KG) is one of the world's most invasive species, whose proliferation can be controlled by mechanical thinning. The KG chips produced in that process can be used as reinforcement/filler in polymer matrix composites (PMC), adding value to this waste. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using fibres obtained from KG stem chips for PMC. The chemical composition, thermal stability, water absorption, hydrophilicity and tensile mechanical properties of the KG fibres were assessed, and the values obtained were compared with those reported in the literature for other natural fibres commonly used in the manufacture of PMC. The results showed that the fibres treated with alkali/silane are thermally stable up to 200°C, have a contact angle of 70°, a water absorption of 24%, a modulus of elasticity of 23±3 GPa and a tensile strength of 277±113 MPa. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of KG as a reinforcement/filler material for PMC.