NDLI: Characterization of the tensile strength of chemically treated Pandanus utilis (screwpine) fibres for potential application as reinforcement in epoxy composite

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Ramasawmy, H. Chummun, J. Bhurtun, A. B.
Copyright Year	2017
Abstract	The main purpose of this research work was to investigate the use of Pandanus utilis, commonly known as screwpine fibre as a reinforcement element in polymer composite. Pandanus green leaves were harvested from the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agro-Industry. The fibres were extracted both by the mechanical and thermal processing (boiling) methods. The tensile strength of fibres obtained by both methods was assessed. It was found that the mechanical extraction method is less energy intensive and it yielded fibres with better elastic property; this method was therefore chosen for extracting fibres for all the experimental works. The mechanically extracted fibres were then subjected to different concentrations (2.5–7%) of sodium hydroxide solution as well as hydrogen peroxide. Tensile tests were performed on the treated fibres as per ASTM C1557-03 international standard. The tests have revealed a higher tensile strength for the 2.5% mercerized fibres as compared to untreated (6.5%), boiled (11.5%) and bleached fibres (22.9%). Scanning electron microscopic analysis was conducted and the results have shown that surface ‘cleaning’ of the fibres can be achieved with 2.5% sodium hydroxide treatment. Finally, a fibre-to-resin mass ratio of 2.2% composite was produced by hand lay-up technique using 5 g of 40 mm long-chopped-fibres. The composites were then tested for the tensile strength as per ASTM D638-10 international standard and compared with those made from unreinforced polymer and fibre glass reinforced polymer. The results have revealed a lower tensile strength for the natural fibre composite due to presence of air bubbles and low fibre wettability to the matrix.
Starting Page	144
Ending Page	170
Page Count	27
File Format	PDF
ISSN	0972656X
Journal	International Journal of Plastics Technology
Volume Number	21
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	0975072X
Language	English
Publisher	Springer India
Publisher Date	2017-05-16
Publisher Place	New Delhi
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Pandanus utilis Density Tensile strength Alkali Polymer Sciences Materials Science
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Polymers and Plastics

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