Advanced Composite Materials 17 (2008) 89–99 www.brill.nl/acm Temperature Dependence of Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Banana Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites Vinodini Shaktawat a,∗ , Laly A. Pothan b , N. S. Saxena a,∗ , Kananbala Sharma a and T. P. Sharma a a Semiconductor and Polymer Science Laboratory, 5-6 Vigyan Bhawan, Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302 004, India b Department of Chemistry, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara-690110, India Received 12 March 2007; accepted 1 June 2007 Abstract Using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), mechanical properties like modulus and phase transition temperature of polyester composites of banana fibers (treated and untreated) are measured simultaneously. The shifting of phase transition temperature is observed in some treatments. The performance of the com- posite depends to a large extent on the adhesion between polymer matrix and the reinforcement. This is often achieved by surface modification of the matrix or the filler. Banana fiber was modified chemically to achieve improved interfacial interaction between the fiber and the polyester matrix. Various silanes and alkalies were used to modify the fiber surface. Chemical modification was found to have a profound effect on the fiber/matrix interaction, which is evident from the values of phase transition temperatures. Of the various chemical treatments, simple alkali treatment with 1% NaOH was found to be the most effective.  Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2008 Keywords Banana fibers, polyester composites, chemical treatment, modulus, phase transition temperature 1. Introduction Polyesters of several diverse types are useful as polymers. Polyester resins are widely used in construction, transportation and marine applications. Network for- mation distinguishes polyester resins from linear (thermoplastics) polyesters such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Cross-linking is achieved either by use of polyols such as glycerol, as in the case of saturated polyesters (glyptal), or by the use of unsaturated di-carboxylic acids, such as maleic anhydride in the case of unsaturated polyester resins. Extensive research work has been carried out by * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: s_vinodini@rediffmail.com; n_s_saxena@rediffmail.com Edited by the JSCM and KSCM  Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2008 DOI:10.1163/156855108X295672