Study on characterization of Furcraea foetida new natural fiber as composite reinforcement for lightweight applications

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 181; pp. 650 - 658
• Main Authors: Manimaran, P., Senthamaraikannan, P., Sanjay, M.R., Marichelvam, M.K., Jawaid, Mohammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2018
• Subjects: activation energy; atomic force microscopy; biocomposites; carbon; cellulose; Chemical analysis; crystal structure; energy-dispersive X-ray analysis; Fourier transform infrared; Furcraea foetida; Furcraea foetida fiber; hemicellulose; lignin; manufacturing; Morphological properties; natural fibers; NMR spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy; stable isotopes; temperature; Tensile test; Thermal analysis; thermogravimetry; thermoplastics; X-ray diffraction; Furcraea foetida fiber; Morphological properties; Chemical analysis; Tensile test; X-ray diffraction; Thermal analysis; Fourier transform infrared; NMR spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.11.099

•Relatively high crystallinity index (52.6%) was found in Furcraea foetida fiber.•High cellulose (68.35wt.%) content.•Low density (778kg/m3) of FF promotes the low weight applications.•The FF cellulose degradation at 320.5°C evident by thermo gravimetric analysis. The exploration of new natural fibers in the field of polymer composites can contribute to increase the invention of natural reinforcements and expand their use in possible applications. In the present work, the physico-chemical, thermal, tensile and morphological properties of Furcraea foetida (FF) fiber are presented for the first time. Chemical analysis results shows that FF has relatively higher cellulose (68.35%) with lower hemicelluloses (11.46%) and lignin (12.32%). Structural analysis of FF was conducted by Fourier transform infrared and 13C (CP-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis evidenced that FF has crystallinity index of 52.6% with crystalline size of 28.36nmThe surface morphology of FF was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray micro analyzer (EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals thermal constancy of the fiber upto 320.5°C with the kinetic activation energy of 66.64kJ/mol, which can be used as reinforcements in thermoplastic green composite whose working temperatures is below 300°C. The FF results were compared with those of other natural fibers, and indicated as a suitable alternative source for composite manufacture.