Effects of the surface treatments of lignocellulosic fibers on their debonding stress

Abstract

This paper presents some results on the surface treatments given to natural fibers, namely coir, banana, and sisal fibers, using γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO), y-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AMEO), sodium alginate (NaAl), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. The cleaned, washed, and dried fibers were dipped in these solutions separately for a given time and dried. Treated and untreated fibers were tested for strength properties including debonding stress, and structural analysis of the fibers was carried out. It was found that a 3-11% increase in debonding stress was observed for all the treated fibers; and about 30% increase in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), 9% in initial modulus for silane-treated coir, and only 18% increase in UTS for NaAl-treated coir and sisal fibers were also observed. No significant improvement was observed in the case of surface-treated banana fibers.

Keywords:

• Lignocellulosic fibers
• coir
• banana
• strength properties
• debonding stress
• surface treatment