Effect of Alkali Treatment on the Properties of Century Fiber

Abstract

Century natural fibers (Agave americana L.) have superior mechanical properties. For their usage as an effective reinforcement in biocomposites, they require surface modification. In the present study, these fibers were treated with 5% aq. NaOH solution for optimized 1-h period. The effect of alkali treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties was been studied. The results indicated thinning and surface roughening of the fibers and removal of hemicellulose on alkali treatment. The tensile strength and elongation at break improved on alkali treatment. X-ray studies indicated increase of crystallinity for alkali-treated fibers.

Keywords:

• Agave americana
• Century fiber
• chemical analysis
• mechanical properties
• thermal properties
• morphology

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author AVR thanks the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India for the award of an Emeritus Scientist, Scheme [21(0842)11/EMR-II dt: 10-05-2011]. KOR sincerely acknowledges the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, for the award of a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.