Modification of the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Sisal Fiber for Textile Applications

ABSTRACT

Sisal fibers are reported to have outstanding textile properties including high strength, absorbency, good dye uptake, exceptional durability and abundant availability suggesting their potential in clothing applications. However, sisal fibers have not received the attention they deserve owing to their coarseness and stiffness that limit their application to non-clothing products. This study investigated potential chemical methods to modify the surface structure of sisal fibers, thereby allowing their application in clothing production. The effect of the treatment on sisal fibers was established by their mechanical properties, moisture content (M_C) and regain (M_R), and structural properties. The treatment produced fibers with 28.6 Tex fineness, an average length of 68.5 cm, a breaking tenacity of 385.6 mN/tex and 3.9% elongation. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that alkali treated sisal fiber had M_C and M_R of 10.53% and 11.77%, respectively. These parameters were comparable to most cellulosic fibers including cotton, flax and jute. The thermal stability of sisal fibers was observed to increase upon modification as studied by using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), whereas the Infrared spectra of both unmodified and modified fibers revealed the effect of chemical modification. These results suggest a possibility of developing sisal fibers for clothing applications.

摘要

据报道, 剑麻纤维具有优异的纺织性能, 包括高强度、吸收性、良好的上染性、优异的耐久性和丰富的可用性, 表明其在服装应用中的潜力. 然而, 由于剑麻纤维的粗糙度和刚度限制了其在非服装产品中的应用, 因此没有得到应有的重视. 这项研究调查了潜在的化学方法, 以修改剑麻纤维的表面结构, 从而使其在服装生产中的应用. 通过剑麻纤维的力学性能、含水量确定了处理对剑麻纤维的影响(MC) 重新获得(MR), 以及结构性质. 处理后的纤维细度为28.6tex, 平均长度为68.5cm, 断裂强度为385.6mn/Tex, 伸长率为3.9%. 此外, 研究表明, 碱处理剑麻纤维MC和MR分别为10.53%和11.77%. 这些参数与大多数纤维素纤维(包括棉花、亚麻和黄麻) 相当. 用热重分析仪(TGA) 研究了改性后剑麻纤维的热稳定性, 而未改性纤维和改性纤维的红外光谱均显示了化学改性的效果. 这些结果表明了开发剑麻纤维用于服装应用的可能性.

KEYWORDS:

• Sisal fiber
• natural fibers
• alkali treatment
• mechanical properties
• structural properties
• clothing

关键词:

• 剑麻纤维
• 天然纤维
• 碱处理
• 机械性能
• 结构特性
• 服装

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Prof. Leonard Mwaikambo of the University of Dar es Salaam for assisting with revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Directorate of Research and Publication of the University of Dare es Salaam under grant number CoET-MIE18057.