Palm Leaves as Potential Natural-fibre Source for a Tropical Island Developing State

ABSTRACT

The mechanical and chemical properties of fibers, extracted from four Mascarene endemic palm species, were determined in the untreated and mercerized states. Tensile strength of the fibers increased by 26% for the Hurricane fibers and to 92% for Bottle palm. Fibers from the Blue Latan gave the highest strength of 208 MPa. TCI index suggests that increase in strength is due to the transformation of cellulose I to II. FTIR and DSC tests confirm that hemicellulose was not completely removed during mercerization; its complete removal will yield stronger fiber, making the Blue Latan fiber a potential candidate for composites manufacture.

摘要

在未经处理和丝光处理的情况下，测定了从四种地方性棕榈属植物中提取的纤维的机械和化学性质.抗飓风纤维的拉伸强度增加了26%，瓶子棕榈纤维的拉伸强度增加了92%.蓝色拉坦纤维的最高强度为208兆帕.TCI指数表明，强度的增加是由于纤维素I向II的转化.FTIR和DSC测试证实半纤维素在丝光处理过程中没有被完全去除，其完全去除将产生更强的纤维，使蓝色拉坦纤维成为复合材料制造的潜在候选.

KEYWORDS:

• Alkaline treatment
• Arecaceae
• cellulose
• tensile strength
• total crystallinity index
• FTIR

关键词:

• 碱性处理
• 槟榔科
• 纤维素
• 拉伸强度
• 总结晶度指数

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Mauritius Research Council for having provided the necessary funding for the research project and the Forest Service for provision of the plant leaves.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mauritius Research Council (MRC), Mauritius. [RUN 1506].