III.

Methodology

A. Design of the Experiment

Stainless steel tray (9 x 6 inches) 2 cups of dried banana leaf fiber

Stainless steel ladle 1 cup of dried banana stem fiber

Steel brush 2 liters of Clear Cast Resin

180 mL of Hardener

B. Variables

In the researchers’ experiment, the variables are as follows:

Controlled: The method and additional materials used in creating the fiberglass.

Independent: The kind of fiber used.

Dependent: The durability and strength of the produced fiberglass.

C. Procedure

1. Extraction of Fiber

 The banana stem was cut from the plant and was carefully rolled to remove the excess

moisture. The leaves were also removed from the plant.

 The banana stem and leaf fibers are manually extracted by using a steel brush.

 The fibers were cleaned and dried under the sun for at least 8 hours.

2. Preparation of the mold

 The researchers will use a stainless-steel tray as a mold.

3. Creating the mixture and pouring it into the mold

  The resin is placed in a metal container followed by the hardener (it depends on what the

directions say about the hardener and how to add it). The mixture can be mixed in a smooth

plastic container, but it will generate warmth while it sets, so excessive care is needed if

ever it is used as a container.

 The mixture must be stirred thoroughly from the bottom to the sides and not just the middle

using the ladle.

 The fibers will be mixed in directly with the mixture. Mix well.

 The mixture must then be poured into the molds, Cover the trays beforehand with baby oil

so the removal process of the fiberglass will be done easier.

 The mixture will be left to set for at least 8 hours to harden.

4. Testing the Fiberglass

 The researchers will do three simple tests. The first is a drop test and the second is a weights

test. The last and final test is to see if the fiberglass can withstand the force of a human

kick.

 The drop test goes as follows: the fiberglass will first be dropped at 6 inches, then another

6 inches will be added at the next drop until it reaches approximately 3 feet.

 The weights test goes as follows: a weight of 7 ½ lbs. will be laid on the fiberglass as it is

suspended over the ground at 18 inches. The fiberglass’ edges are placed on the edges of

two chairs and the chairs are firstly 3 inches apart. A measure of 0.5 inches will be added

to distance between the two chairs until it reaches approximately 6 inches in total.

 Finally, the fiberglass will still hold the same position as the final one done in the weights

test. It will be suspended 18 inches above the ground and the chairs are 6 inches apart

before it will be kicked by a researcher.

IV. Results

For each set up in both the banana stem and banana leaf, a different amount of each ingredient is put into

each sample. It should be minded that the measurements of each are only estimates and not the exact

measurements. The first set ups both get 1/4 cup of the dried fibers. The second set ups get 1/3 cup of the

dried fibers. Lastly, the third set ups get 1/2 cup of the dried fibers.

The Drop Test: Did it remain intact and whole?

Height B.S Set Up A B.S Set Up B B.S Set Up C B.L Set Up A B.L Set Up B B.L Set Up C
6 inches Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

12 inches Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

18 inches Yes, but a Yes. Yes, but a Yes. Yes. Yes.

small chip small chip
came off. came off.
24 inches Yes, but Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
another small
chip came
off.
30 inches A bigger chip Yes, but a Yes. Yes, but a Yes. Yes.
came off. small chip small chip
came off. came off.
36 inches Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, but a No. It broke
small chip into half.
came off.

The table above displays the data acquired during the first test; the drop test. In this test, the researchers

dropped the banana stem and leaf fiberglass setups at a specific height of 6 inches and periodically adding

6 more inches to each drop. The initials B.S stand for banana stem and B.L stands for banana leaf.

B.S Set Up A is shown to be the weakest, having chips being broken off already at the height of 18 inches

when compared to the other two set ups in banana stem fiberglass, only B.S Set Up C had done the same.

This is also the set up that had at least ¼ of it to be broken off in drop test. B.S. Set Up B and Set Up C

both chipped at a certain stage but nonetheless remain intact.

In the banana leaf fiberglass, B.L Set Up A had only begun to chip off at 30 inches and with only a small

bit being truly broken. Both B.L Set Up B and Set Up C had broken at the height of 36 inches. Set Up B

only had a small chip be its total damage while the entirety of Set Up C broke into half.

The Weights Test: Did it crack underneath the weight of 7 ½ lbs.?

B.L. Set Up C is not included since it was destroyed in the first test.
Width B.S Set Up A B.S Set Up B B.S Set Up C B.L Set Up A B.L Set Up B B.L Set Up C
3 inches No. No. No. No. No.

3.5 inches No. No. No. No. No.

4 inches No. No. No. No. No.

4.5 inches No. No. No. No. No.

5 inches No. No. No. No. No.

5.5 inches No. No. No. No. No.

6 inches No. No. No. No. No.

Surprisingly enough, none of the set ups on both the banana steam and leaf fiberglass had cracked under

the weight of 7 ½ lbs.

The Kick Test: Did it survive a human kick?

Width B.S Set Up A B.S Set Up B B.S Set Up C B.L Set Up A B.L Set Up B B.L Set Up C
6 inches No. No. No. No. No.

The foot that was used to kick was above from the floor at approximately 22 inches each time it was

brought down to the fiberglass. None of the set ups remained intact at the force of the kick.
V. Conclusion and Recommendations

A. Conclusion

We therefore conclude that fiberglass can be made using fibers of both the leaves and the stems of the

banana plant. The most durable set up among the rest when compared is the second set up of the banana

stem and it can withstand weight and heights. As seen in the results, it can reach up to 36 inches and is still

seen without any chipped parts or cracks. Though it can be broken by a force of a kick, it’s the most durable

among the set ups.

B. Recommendations

For the recommendation, we recommend the future researchers to look for a procedure where the fibers can

be melted or mixed in with the chemicals in a way that it can be more transparent. Another is to use

containers that will not stick to the fiberglass and to try and use other parts of the tree to see if you can use

them for fiberglass as well. Other types of trees can also be recommended to be used other than banana

trees.