Engineering Sustainable Interior Materials: Performance Analysis of PLA Composites Reinforced with Banana Stem Fiber and Spent Coffee Grounds

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 04 | Page : 94-105
    By

    N.Ravi Kumar,

  • D.Jyothi Swarup,

  • Selvam B,

  • Sivapriya J,

  • Nellore Manoj Kumar,

  • Naveen R,

  • Poonam Khan,

  • K. Selvaraju,

  • Sudhakar M,

  1. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V.R.Siddhartha Engineering College, Andhra Pradesh, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, St.ann’s College of Engineering and Technology, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Professor, Department of Chemistry, St.Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Adjunct Faculty, Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, KCG College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  8. Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Sai Leo Nagar, West Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  9. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Sai Leo Nagar, West Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This study presents the development and classification of eco-friendly composite panels reinforced with spent coffee grounds (SCG) and banana stem fibers (BSF) for interior applications. Hybrid composites were fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix with a constant filler loading of 30 wt%, varying BSF:SCG ratios (70:30, 60:40, 50:50). Mechanical testing revealed that the 70:30 composite exhibited the highest tensile strength (42 MPa) and flexural strength (58 MPa), whereas the 50:50 composite showed superior impact strength due to the energy-dissipating nature of SCG. Thermal analysis demonstrated that the hybrid composites had a decomposition onset temperature of 320°C, surpassing that of neat PLA, confirming enhanced thermal stability. Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed minimal changes in glass transition temperature (~60°C), while crystallinity slightly decreased with increasing SCG content. Notably, the 60:40 composite achieved the highest noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.61, making it suitable for acoustic paneling. Water absorption increased with SCG content, from 3.2% (70:30) to 5.0% (50:50), due to the hygroscopic nature of SCG. The results demonstrate that BSF-SCG reinforced PLA composites are structurally robust, thermally stable, acoustically efficient, and biodegradable, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional MDF and gypsum-based panels. These composites align with green building initiatives and circular economy goals.

Keywords: Banana stem fiber (BSF), spent coffee grounds (SCG), biocomposites, acoustic performance, sustainable interior materials

[This article belongs to Journal of Polymer and Composites ]

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How to cite this article:
N.Ravi Kumar, D.Jyothi Swarup, Selvam B, Sivapriya J, Nellore Manoj Kumar, Naveen R, Poonam Khan, K. Selvaraju, Sudhakar M. Engineering Sustainable Interior Materials: Performance Analysis of PLA Composites Reinforced with Banana Stem Fiber and Spent Coffee Grounds. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):94-105.
How to cite this URL:
N.Ravi Kumar, D.Jyothi Swarup, Selvam B, Sivapriya J, Nellore Manoj Kumar, Naveen R, Poonam Khan, K. Selvaraju, Sudhakar M. Engineering Sustainable Interior Materials: Performance Analysis of PLA Composites Reinforced with Banana Stem Fiber and Spent Coffee Grounds. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):94-105. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=215763


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 04
Received 10/05/2025
Accepted 06/06/2025
Published 16/06/2025
Publication Time 37 Days


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