Physical and Thermal Properties of Novel Native Andean Natural Fibers

ABSTRACT

Natural fibers are a renewable resource that has become an economic alternative to replace synthetic fibers as reinforcement in composite materials. In this study, the aim was to characterize physical and thermal properties of the Andean Stipa obtusa and Jarava ichu leaves (grasses known as ichu) before and after the alkaline treatment. Energy dispersive spectrum identified external phytoliths on the surface of nontreated raw leaves. With the alkaline treatment, improvement on the thermal stability and increment in the crystalline index and size was observed. Additionally, raw leaves present a hydrophobic behavior; however, with the treatment this hydrophobicity was lost for Stipa obtusasignificantly but not for the Jarava ichu. Furthermore, low surface energy was observed for the nontreated raw leaves and increasing consistently for the treated fibers. According with these results, these grasses are quite interesting materials from which fibers can be extracted for engineering applications such as composite materials.

摘要

天然纤维是一种可再生资源，已成为替代合成纤维作为复合材料增强材料的经济替代品. 本研究旨在探讨安第斯山针茅和jarava ichu叶（禾本科称为ichu）在碱处理前后的物理和热特性. 能量色散谱分析了未处理生叶表面的外来植物体. 经碱处理后，热稳定性得到改善，结晶指数和晶粒尺寸增大. 此外，生叶具有疏水性；然而，经过处理后，这种疏水性对钝刺针茅明显丧失，而对jarava ichu则没有. 此外，未处理的生叶表面能较低，处理后的纤维表面能持续增加. 根据这些结果，这些草是非常有趣的材料，从中提取纤维可用于工程应用，如复合材料.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• ichu
• alkali treatment
• amorphous silica particles
• composite materials

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 碱处理
• 无定形二氧化硅颗粒
• 复合材料

Acknowledgments

This paper was written in the context of the project: “Estudio comparativo del potencial de fibras naturales endémicas del Perú para su uso como refuerzo en materiales compuestos laminados” founded by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica (CONCYTEC) under the contract number N° 117-2016-FONDECYT. The authors of this paper appreciate the financial support from the Peruvian Government.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Cienciactiva - FONDECYT, Perú [117-2016].

Notes on contributors

Sandra Mori

Sandra Mori Graduate at Industrial Engineering ta Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnoligía – UTEC (2018), currently develop projects oriented to industrial process optimization and maintenance planning in the ceramic industries.

Samuel Charca

Samuel Charca Graduate at Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco (UNSAAC, 2001), doctor degree at Civil Engineering from University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Campus (2009), and post-doctoral fellowship at Aalborg University. Full professor of the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología – UTEC in the Mechanical Engineering Department, he is responsible of the experimental mechanics research group.

Elena Flores

Elena Flores Graduate at Chemistry at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Master degree at Chemistry from PUCP. Full professor of the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología – UTEC in the Chemistry Engineering Department.

Holmer Savastano

Holmer Savastano Jr. Doctor degree in Civil Construction at Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil). Full professor of the Universidade de São Paulo, Biosystems Engineering Department, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil. Co-Editor in Chief of the Brazilian Journal Ambiente Construído (Antac, 2010–2016). He is the coordinator of the Research Nucleus for Biosystems Materials at USP since Sep/2012. Member of the coordination committee at FAPESP in the Engineering area. More than 170 full papers published in peer reviewed journals. Co-PI of the INCT Project – Advanced eco-efficient technologies for cement-based materials (aeCEM, since Dec/2016). Responsible for research projects in collaboration with industries for the development of innovative construction components based on fiber-cement composites. Dr. Holmer has experience in Materials and Components for Construction, working on the following subjects: vegetable fiber, animal welfare, rural construction, civil construction and sustainability. (Source: Lattes Curriculum).