Effect of alkali treated and untreated cellulose fibers and human hair on FTIR and tensile properties for composite material applications

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, the application of natural fiber reinforced polymer composite is rapidly increasing in different parts of the world due to its light weight, low cost, availability and feasibility of easy fabrication. This article focuses on the investigation of the physical and mechanical properties of natural fibers such as human hair, Sterculia foetida, delonix regia and caryotta obtusa fibers in terms of the analysis of the suitability of reinforcement material in composites. Untreated fibers were compared with NaOH treated fibers. Compositional analysis from Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy, tensile properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and percentage elongation of both untreated and treated fibers are discussed in detail. The properties of these natural fibers were compared with those of other natural fibers. The scope of addition of human hair, sterculia foetida, and delonix regia and caryotta obtusa fibers as reinforcement material in polymer composites were reported.

Keywords

• Natural fibers
• Alkali treatment
• Single fiber testing
• Tensile properties
• Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy