Experimental study of physical, chemical and mechanical properties of enset and sisal fibers

Abstract

The properties of composites depend on type and properties of the fiber, fiber structure and treatment. In this study, effects of NaOH treatment on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of fibers collected from South-West Ethiopia were investigated using untreated, 5% and 10% alkali treated enset and sisal fibers. The effects of NaOH on diameter, moisture absorption, density, lignin and hemicellulose was experimentally studied. In addition, tenacity of both fibers was investigated by using optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and single fibers tensile strength tester. The 5% and 10% NaOH treatment significantly improved the moisture absorption and diameters. The moisture absorption of 5% and 10% NaOH treated enset fibers improved by 33% and 34%, while the same treatment on sisal fibers improved the moisture absorption by 30% and 40% respectively. The 5% NaOH treated enset and sisal fiber showed better tenacity, which is an indication of the tensile strength of single fiber, than untreated and 10% NaOH treated fibers. Improving moisture content, diameter, lignin and hemicellulose contents of the fibers contributes to better bonding as interlock with the matrix materials enhancing the mechanical properties of composites.

Keywords

• Fibers
• NaOH treatment
• Sisal fiber
• Enset fiber
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy