Mercerization Treatment Conditions Effects on Kenaf Fiber Bundles Mean Diameter Variability

Abstract

The interest in utilizing natural fiber as reinforce in polymer composites has increased in recent years due to their advantages like availability, cheap, renewable, lightweight, and biodegradable. However, the main challenge of natural fiber to be used as reinforcement in polymer is their hydrophobic nature. One of the solutions is via chemical modification like mercerization treatment. In this study, the effect of alkali concentrations at 2 and 10 w/v %; and soaking temperature at 30°C and 80°C on a kenaf fiber bundles mean diameter was investigated. Untreated kenaf fiber was used as a control unit. Kenaf fiber diameter was measured using a Leica video analyzer. Microstructure change of kenaf fiber before and after mercerization treatment conditions was identified using JOEL scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, an interaction of alkali treatment conditions on kenaf fiber bundles mean diameter value was statistically analyzed using a commercially available statistical software package. The results showed that kenaf fiber bundle mean diameter was reduced by 30.12% to 42.92% after mercerization treatment. From analysis of variance, the main effect of alkali concentration value was 6.075 and the temperature value was 1.135. The main effect plots reveal that alkali concentration had a higher impact on mean diameter changes compared to soaking temperature factor.

Impact of Alkali Treatment Conditions on Kenaf Fiber Polyester Composite Tensile Strength

“…They concluded that the tensile strength of kenaf fiber decreased by increasing the alkali solution concentration and immersion time. This finding was good agreement with previously conducted studied by Hashim [7]. He used different alkali treatment conditions setting and found that alkali concentration had a higher impact on diameter changes compared to alkali treatment immersion temperature.…”

Enhancement of the Amazonian Açaí Waste Fibers through Variations of Alkali Pretreatment Parameters

“…This finding could be explained by the more effective leaching of non‐cellulosic materials, fiber degradation and fiber delignification phenomenon that occurred with kenaf fiber as alkali treatment variables increased . The main results of kenaf fibers reveal that alkali concentration had a higher impact on mean diameter changes than soaking temperature . In our study with açaí fiber, the alkali concentration also played a more important role in fiber diameter changes than the reaction temperature.…”

“…[23] The main results of kenaf fibers reveal that alkali concentration had a higher impact on mean diameter changes than soaking temperature. [24] In our study with açaí fiber, the alkali concentration also played a more important role in fiber diameter changes than the reaction temperature.…”

The effect of alkalization on the mechanical and water absorption properties of nonwoven kenaf fiber/unsaturated polyester composites produced by resin-transfer molding

“…This treatment improves the fiber surface adhesive characteristic by removing any hemicellulose and wax on the fiber surface, and increasing surface contact between the defibrillation fibers and the matrices . In addition, the monoclinic crystalline lattice of cellulose‐I can be changed into a more thermally stable cellulose‐II crystalline structure after alkalization . Edeerozey et al found that the immersion of the KF in a 6% NaOH concentration solution for 3 h effectively cleaned the fiber surface and increased the tensile strength of the KF.…”