Effect of Alkali-Treatment on Physico-Chemical Properties of Typha Angustata Stem Fiber and Its Composites

ABSTRACT

Recognizing the importance of using plant fibers in polymeric composites and the no availability of data on fine structure, physico-chemical, morphological and others properties of Typha Angustata stem fibers, a study was undertaken with the objective of determining some of these properties. In this work, untreated and treated Typha stem fibers by NaOH treatment have been extracted and characterized to evaluate and compare their surface condition as well as their chemical composition, their fine structure and their mechanical properties. Typha stem treated fibers (TSTFs) have presented best results with an alpha-cellulose content of 51.3%, a density of 1460 kg/m³, an average tensile strength equal to 9.42cN/tex and a diameter of 208.12 µm. Also, Crystallinity Index (CI) of TSTFs was 57.4%. Unsaturated polyester matrix was reinforced with TSTFs and mechanical properties were undergone. Results show that TSTFs could be used for sustainable fiber-reinforced polymer composites with an enhancement in flexural and tensile tests for 12.6% TSTFs ratio.

摘要

认识到在聚合物复合材料中使用植物纤维的重要性，以及没有关于香蒲茎纤维的精细结构、物理化学、形态和其他特性的数据，因此开展了一项研究，目的是确定其中一些特性. 在这项工作中，通过NaOH处理对未处理和处理过的香蒲茎纤维进行提取和表征，以评估和比较其表面状况、化学成分、精细结构和机械性能. 香蒲茎处理纤维（TSTF）具有最佳效果，α纤维素含量为51.3%，密度为1460 kg/m3，平均抗拉强度为9.42kN/tex，直径为208.12 µm. TSTF的结晶度指数（CI）为57.4%. 用TSTF增强不饱和聚酯基体，并对其力学性能进行了测试. 结果表明，TSTFs可用于可持续的纤维增强聚合物复合材料，当TSTFs的比例为12.6%时，其弯曲和拉伸试验的强度有所提高.

KEYWORDS:

• Typha stem fiber
• Alkali-treatment
• X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• FTIR
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
• composites

关键词:

• 香蒲茎纤维
• 碱处理
• X射线衍射
• 扫描电子显微镜
• 复合材料

Highlights

• Characterization of TyphaAngustata fibers extracted from its stem using alkali treatment.

• Typha stem treated fibers (TSTFs) hasalpha-cellulose of 51.3% content, density of 1460 kg/m3, average tensile strength and diameter equal to 9.42cN/tex and 208.12 µm, respectively, and Crystallinity Index (CI) of TSTF was 57.4%.

• Characterization results of compositematerials confirmed that the TSTF is a better alternative material forhazardous synthetic fibers.

• Flexural and tensile testing of TSTF reinforced polyester composites shows improved properties especially for 12.6% fiber ratio.

Acknowledgements

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

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