Fiber Properties of Some Non-Woods as Possible Reinforcement in Composite Making

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Fiber Properties of Some Non-Woods as Possible Reinforcement in Composite Making

Babatunde Oluwole Ogunsile^1*, Grace Oluwadunni Ayorinde^2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
²Department of Chemical Sciences, Koladaisi University Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Corresponding author*

Abstract: Natural fibers can serve as excellent and environmentally friendly renewable reinforcement materials in making a polymer, geopolymer and cement composites. The dimension of the fiber and its chemical composition is useful in selecting appropriate fiber suitable for enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of a given composite. In this study, the fiber dimension of eight plants was measured and their derived values (morphological indices) were calculated. The chemical compositions of the plants as well as their solubilities in aqueous and organic solvents were determined. The result showed that the fiber length of the samples was below 3 mm (1.20 to 2. 51 mm), characteristics of short to medium fiber length which is preferred for composite reinforcement. Other fiber dimensions varied as follows: fiber diameter (9.20-15.25 μm), lumen width (6.12 – 10.58 μm) and cell wall thickness (1.17 – 2.44μm). All the plant samples showed very good morphological indices: low Runkel ratios (0.24 – 0.63), high fiber slenderness (129 – 207) and flexibility coefficients (62-80). The ash content obtained for the selected sample ranged from 3% – 8 %. The content of cellulose was relatively low ranging from 19 to 45.5% while the lignin content varied from 14% to 33%. Thus, the plants can serve as viable natural fibers for the reinforcement of composites.

Keywords: Natural fibers, fiber dimensions, chemical composition composites, reinforcements

1 INTRODUCTION

There is an increasing interest in the use and applications of composite materials for construction and engineering purposes. Composites are formed from the combination of two materials with different physical, chemical, and mechanical properties such that the desirable properties of the individual material are conserved and improved upon in favor of the undesirable properties. A good number of composite products are made from polymer, geopolymer, cement, ceramic, and wood reinforced with suitable fibers [1-3]. Composite, especially when reinforced with fibers, demonstrates superior properties when compared with

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