Title
The Effect of Alkali Treatment on Chemical and Physical Properties of Ichu and Cabuya Fibers
Date Issued
01 January 2021
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
University of Engineering and Technology
National University of Engineering
Publisher(s)
Bellwether Publishing, Ltd.
Abstract
Ichu and Cabuya were characterized and the effect of alkali treatment on the chemical and physical properties of these fibers was studied. This treatment was carried out to remove non-cellulosic components in order to improve the adhesion of these fibers to be used as reinforcing composites since they are currently being tested in polymer matrix composites. The chemical properties were investigated through TAPPI Standards and FTIR spectroscopy. The physical properties (microfibrillar angle and density) were analyzed through polarized light microscopy and a gas pycnometer, respectively. The results show that with this chemical treatment, it is possible to remove 53.9% of lignin and 22.7% of hemicellulose for Ichu fiber and 50.7% and 91.7%, respectively, for Cabuya. Besides, it was found that the microfibrillar angle is not affected by this chemical treatment since its effect is only superficial. In addition, SEM images show that Ichu fiber has amorphous silica particles in its surface, in which it becomes a potential fiber for cement composites.
Start page
923
End page
936
Volume
18
Issue
7
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ciencias del medio ambiente
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85074364177
PubMed ID
Source
Journal of Natural Fibers
ISSN of the container
15440478
Sponsor(s)
The authors were supported by grants offered by FONDECYT (Grant n° 117- 2016). The authors also acknowledge The University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) and The University of Sao Paulo (USP) for allowing to use the equipment and laboratories required.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus