Influence of Chemical Treatment on the Physico-mechanical Characteristics of Natural Fibers Extracted from the Barks of Vachellia Farnesiana

ABSTRACT

In recent decades, the production of natural fiber composites has increased due to their biodegradability and lower costs. In the current work, Vachellia farnesiana fibers were selected and extracted by the manual retting process. The obtained Vachellia farnesiana fibers were chemically treated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. The chemically treated and untreated Vachellia farnesiana fibers were characterized for physical, chemical, tensile, morphological, and thermal properties. Test results showed that the cellulose content was 47.8 ± 0.697 weight % for NaOH treated Vachellia farnesiana fibers with reduced moisture and amorphous contents. HCl treated Vachellia farnesiana fiber showed more cellulose content removal, which resulted in degradation of its properties due to the acidic nature of HCl.

摘要:

近几十年来, 天然纤维复合材料由于其可生物降解性和较低的成本, 其产量不断增加. 在本研究中, 我们选择了法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维, 并采用人工脱胶的方法提取法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维. 用盐酸 (HCl) 和氢氧化钠 (NaOH) 溶液对得到的法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维进行化学处理. 对化学处理和未处理的法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维的物理, 化学, 拉伸, 形态和热性能进行了表征. 试验结果表明, 经NaOH处理的法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维, 其纤维素含量为47.8±0.697%. HCl处理的法尔内西亚瓦切利亚纤维对纤维素的去除率较高, HCl的酸性使其性能下降.

KEYWORDS:

• Vachellia farnesiana
• natural fibers
• sodium hydroxide treatment
• hydrochloric acid treatment
• manual retting
• cellulose content

Keywords:

• 关键词:Vachellia farnesiana
• 法尔内西亚瓦切利亚
• Natural fibers
• 天然纤维
• Sodium hydroxide treatment
• 氢氧化钠处理
• Hydrochloric acid treatment
• 盐酸处理
• Manual retting
• 手工脱胶
• Cellulose content纤维素含量

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant No. (FP-97-42).The authors, therefore, gratefully acknowledge DSR technical and financial support.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant No. (FP-97-42).