N.Ravi Kumar,
D.Jyothi Swarup,
Selvam B,
Sivapriya J,
Nellore Manoj Kumar,
Naveen R,
Poonam Khan,
K. Selvaraju,
Sudhakar M,
- Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, V.R.Siddhartha Engineering College, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, St.ann’s College of Engineering and Technology, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Professor, Department of Chemistry, St.Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Adjunct Faculty, Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, KCG College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Sai Leo Nagar, West Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- 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 ]
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.
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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Journal of Polymer and Composites
Volume | 13 |
Issue | 04 |
Received | 10/05/2025 |
Accepted | 06/06/2025 |
Published | 16/06/2025 |
Publication Time | 37 Days |