DEVELOPMENT OF BANANA PSEUDOSTEM FIBER-BASED FAUX LEATHER FOR CREATIVE COMMUNITY PRODUCT DESIGN IN PHETCHABUN PROVINCE
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Abstract
Natural fiber-based faux leather has emerged as a sustainable alternative to synthetic leather but continues to face limitations in strength and flexibility. This research aimed to: (1) develop banana pseudostem fiber-reinforced natural rubber-based faux leather for creative community product design; (2) investigate the mechanical properties of the developed material to determine its suitability for product development; and (3) design and develop consumer-oriented products using banana pseudostem-based faux leather. Banana pseudostem fibers sourced from farming communities in Phetchabun Province were processed and blended with natural rubber at ratios of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 phr (parts per hundred rubber) to form composite faux leather sheets for material characterization and prototype development. The results demonstrated that the developed material possessed a smooth surface, appropriate flexibility, and sufficient strength while being producible from local agricultural waste, thereby adding value and generating supplementary income for local farmers. Mechanical property testing revealed that the 10 phr formulation exhibited optimal performance, increasing hardness from 36.30 to 70.20 Shore A and achieving maximum tear resistance of 38.90 N/mm, while maintaining desirable flexibility and aesthetic quality. These findings confirm that banana pseudostem fiber can effectively function as a natural reinforcing agent in natural rubber and has potential as a viable substitute for other natural fibers. Three bag prototypes were developed from the optimized material: Shopping Bag, Trapeze Bag, and Semicircle Clutch Bag. Consumer satisfaction evaluation revealed very high levels across all aspects, with the Shopping Bag receiving the highest overall mean score of 4.51 (p < 0.05), demonstrating statistically significant superiority. These results highlight the potential of banana pseudostem-based faux leather as an eco-friendly creative material that responds to the demands of younger consumers while adding value to local agricultural residues and supporting sustainable community-based economic development.
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