Acetylation Treatment for the Batch Processing of Natural Fibers: Effects on Constituents, Tensile Properties and Surface Morphology of Selected Plant Stem Fibers

Abstract

This work was on the comparative evaluation of the property effects obtainable when acetylation is applied to parts of selected agro fibers that are obtainable within common localities. The fibers were subjected to different concentrations of acetylation treatment at ambient temperature for 3 h. The physico-chemical, morphological, and tensile properties of the fibers were examined after the treatment. It was discovered from the results that the procedures variedly influenced the constituents of the fibers, their resulting tensile properties as well as their post-acetylation treatment surface morphology. The proportion of crystalline cellulose in the starting fibers greatly influenced their post treatment composition, behaviour and properties. The results show that plantain fibers had the highest aspect ratios, followed by banana fibers with values of about 1000 and 417, respectively. These fibers exhibited the least density and are thus potential plant fibers for composite development. Banana fiber had the least density of about 1.38 g/cm3 while that of DombeyaBuettneri fiber possessed the highest value of 1.5 g/cm3. There was significant enhancement in the hemicellulose content of Combretum Racemosum, while the lignin content of the plantain fibers was highly reduced. The treatment favoured the enhancement of the tensile properties in Combretum Racemosum fibers, which had enhanced tensile strength and strain at all compositions of the treatment. Optimum tensile strength and strain values of 155 MPa and 0.046, respectively, are achieved at 4% composition. Dombeya Buettneri fibers showed the highest ultimate tensile strength among the plant fibers in the untreated condition, which was gradually decreased as the concentration of the reagents was increased. Overall, 4% acetylation treatment is optimum for tensile properties’ enhancement for most of the natural fibers evaluated.

Investigation on Properties of Raw and Alkali Treated Novel Cellulosic Root Fibres of Zea Mays for Polymeric Composites

“…Higher aspect ratio fibres are typically stiffer. Natural fibre aspect ratios vary significantly for a number of reasons [ 48 ]. The following Table 2 compares the aspect ratios of untreated and 0.1 M alkali treated Zm root fibres.…”

“…Density is the primary factor considered while choosing plant fibres to replace synthetic ones. When selecting materials for various applications, weight is a significant criterion [ 48 ].…”

“…The samples are examined at 21 °C, 30 mm/min cross head speed and 65 ± 2% relative humidity [ 46 ]. To check the correctness of the tensile test, ten fibres (each 50 mm in length) are tested, and the computed mean values of tensile strength, elongation at break and strain rate are documented [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. The following formula is used to determine the tensile strength of Zea mays fibres: where F is the force in Newtons, A is cross-sectional area in mm 2 and T is the tensile strength in MPa [ 20 , 24 ].…”

Effects of Chemical Treatment on Constituents, Tensile Strrengths and Microstructural Characteristics of Natural Fibers

“…In recent years, natural fiber reinforced composites have essentially replaced synthetic fiber reinforced composites in a range of technical applications due to their low cost, high specific strength, biodegradability, renewability, and efficient thermal and acoustic insulating characteristics. [1][2][3][4][5] Natural fibers are derived from plant and animal bodies or from geological processes. [10 -13].…”

Effect of epoxy concentrations on thermo-mechanical properties of kenaf fiber – recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) composites

“…[6][7][8] For outstanding performance, chemical surface treatments have been employed to modify the structural constituents and surface morphology of natural fibers to enhance their compatibility with polymer matrix, reduce moisture absorption, and promote fiber/ matrix adhesion. In this regard, some reports have demonstrated that silanization, 9,10 acetylation, [10][11][12] benzoylation, and peroxide treatment 10,13,14 improve the surface properties of natural fibers for better application performance. Overall, silane treatment has been demonstrated to be better than some other surface treatment methods in improving the interfacial property of natural fibers.…”