Materials and mechanical properties of pretreated coir-based green composites

The performance of coir fiber in the production of linerboard made from soda-anthraquinone (soda-AQ) pulp was evaluated. Based on chemical analysis, the composition of coir fiber is suitable for the pulping process. Out of nine pulping conditions characterized, a pulping condition of 18% active alkali for 90 min cooking time was chosen. These conditions provided the highest screened yield (48.99%), a low rejection yield (0.27%), high viscosity (11.73 cP), and a kappa number (41) that is acceptable for unbleached linerboard production. Beating strengthened the coir pulp. Analyzing the beating revealed that coir pulp was optimized at 1000 to 2000 revolutions, based on a graph of freeness vs. burst index. For all beating conditions (1000 to 8000 revolutions), FESEM micrographs showed the presence of internal and external fibrillation of the fiber, which gradually increased fiber conformability and improved the inter-fiber bonding within the paper formation. Based on its burst strength of 4.57 kPa.m 2 /g and ring crush test of 1.76 Nm 2 /g, which complies with the minimum requirement of the industry standard, coir fiber can be considered an alternative fiber source for linerboard production.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linerboard Made from Soda-Anthraquinone (Soda-AQ) Treated Coconut Coir Fiber and Effect of Pulp Beating

Main¹,

Talib²,

Ibrahim³

et al. 2015

“…Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, worldwide availability, renewability, biodegradability, ease of preparation, lower energy consumption, and relative non-abrasiveness over traditional reinforcing synthetic fibers (Khalil et al 2007;Bledzki et al 2010;Asasutjarit et al 2009). Their softness is also an advantage in relation to common synthetic fibers like glass fibers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation of Luffa cylindrica Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Saw

Purwar²,

Nandy³

et al. 2013

Because of the increasing awareness of the environment and energy issues, as well as advances in technology, the areas of application for annual plant fiber functional materials are expanding. In this work, two chemical treatments, alkalization (2 h agitation with 5% NaOH) and furfurylation (graft furfuryl alcohol followed by oxidation with (1N) NaClO 2 solution), were conducted on Luffa cylindrica fiber surfaces. The grafting of furfuryl alcohol followed by oxidation-generated quinines showed better results than alkaline treatment with respect to enhancement of surface area and hydrophobicity as well as wax, lignin, and hemicellulose extraction. The efficiency of chemical treatments was verified by elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water absorption, and mechanical tests were performed to determine the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of untreated and chemically treated luffa fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Microstructures of the composites were examined to determine the mechanisms for the fiber-matrix interaction, which affects the thermal stability, water absorption, and mechanical behavior of the composites. The data from the water absorption process of composites at various temperatures were analyzed using a diffusion model based on Fick's law.

“…A decrement in the intensity of the peak at 1428 cm -1 (olefinic C-H), corresponding to lignin, was observed. Decreases in the intensities of the peaks at 1368 (O-H bonds) and 898 cm -1 (corresponding to aromatic C-H), associated to holocellulose, which represents approximately 70% of the total composition of coconut coir fiber (Asasutjarit et al 2009;Ezekiel et al 2011), were also observed, indicating the degradation of natural fibers by P. chrysosporium. Similarly to what was observed in Fig.…”

Section: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 91%

“…30 wt% coir fibers and 70 wt% pith. Both fiber and pith are extremely high in lignin and phenolic content (Asasutjarit et al 2009). Accordingly, this study pertains to the preparation of composites using discarded coir fibers and recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), their surface characteristics, and their mechanical performance after exposure to accelerated weathering and fungal attack.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Accelerated Weathering and Phanerochaete chrysosporium on the Mechanical Properties of a Plastic Composite Prepared with Discarded Coir and Recycled HDPE

Ramírez‐Chan¹,

López-Naranjo²,

Canto-Canché³

et al. 2014

Solid urban wastes are a primary source of local and global contamination. One approach to slow their accumulation is by using them to obtain addedvalue products. One common example of these waste materials is the fiber from the husks of coconuts, i.e. coir. However, it is also known that microorganisms such as fungi can attack products containing natural fibers. In this respect, this study aimed to evaluate how the mechanical properties of an extruded composite made of 60% recycled HDPE and 40% discarded coir were affected due to accelerated weathering and Phanerochaete chrysosporium attack. The effect of P. chrysosporium on the materials' mechanical properties before and after weathering, using an accelerated weathering (AW) test device, was evaluated by means of tensile and flexural analysis following ASTM standards. Samples were also characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectroscopy and SEM showed that both types of treatment degraded the surfaces of the tested samples. However, the mechanical performance was not seriously affected, which means that other fungal species would affect the composites to a lesser extent.