Influence of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of new cane fibre/polyester composites

Abstract

In recent years, natural fibres have been experimented to replace glass fibres in reinforcing thermosetting polymer. Since the interfacial adhesion between the raw natural fibres and the polymer matrix are often not adapted to the intended applications, the fibre surface most often requires a preliminary chemical modification. The fibres which were extracted from the Arundo donax L. Plant (called cane fibres), are little studied in the literature of fibre/polymer composites. In the present work, the cane fibres have been treated at constant soaking time with 2-8% NaOH aqueous solutions for 24 h. The composite reinforced by 6% NaOH-treated cane fibres, exhibited maximum improvements in tensile and flexural strength by 57% and 45% respectively. A combination of Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and moisture absorption techniques has been used for material characterisation. The crystallinity index yields information about fibre modification by NaOH. Such cane fibre composites could become an alternative to existing materials, with interesting tensile and flexural strengths, low cost and less ecological impact.

Characterization of long lignocellulosic fibers extracted from Hyphaene thebaica L. leaves

“…The large band appearing in the region of 3,200-3,600 cm À1 was mainly assigned to the hydroxyl groups and the bonded O-H stretching vibration present in the carbohydrate (cellulose and hemicellulose). A similar finding has been observed by several authors (Chikouche et al, 2015;Hossain et al, 2011). Then, the appearance of two bands after chemical extraction at 2,919 and 2,845 cm À1 was associated to the C-H stretching vibration in cellulose and hemicellulose (Hossain et al, 2011;Jabbar et al, 2016;Kovacevic et al, 2012;Sudha and Thilagavathi, 2015).…”

A review on the properties of natural fibres and its bio-composites: Effect of alkali treatment

“…The composite prepared by reinforcing 6% NaOH treated cane fibres offered excellent properties owing to elimination of surface impurities by which fibre matrix adhesion, contact area of the fibres and crystallinity were enhanced. 110 The optimal tensile strength of bamboo/polyester composite was obtained with 6% NaOH treatment beyond this concentration; there was a fall in tensile strength due to an excess exclusion of covering materials from the surface of fibres which leads to damaging to fibre structure at high alkali concentration. 77 The tensile strength of coir fibres composite enhanced by 15% NaOH treatment due to removal of cutile and tylose from fibres surface.…”

“…The composite prepared by reinforcing 6% NaOH treated cane fibres offered excellent properties owing to elimination of surface impurities by which fibre matrix adhesion, contact area of the fibres and crystallinity were enhanced. 110…”

Static, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of untreated and alkali treated mulberry fiber reinforced polyester composites

“…The cane fibers are treated with 2-8% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at constant soaking time for 24 hours. The tensile strength improved by 57% and flexural strength improved by 45% for 6% NaOH treated cane fiber reinforced composites and also this fiber composites alternative to other fiber reinforced composites [7]. Govardhan et al [8] studied the alkali treatment on mechanical properties of Roystonea regia fiber reinforced epoxy composites and result found that the alkali treatment improves the tensile and flexural properties of the composites.…”