TITLE:
Physical-Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of the Bast Fibers of Triumfetta cordifolia A.Rich. from the Equatorial Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Armel Edwige Mewoli, César Segovia, Fabien Betene Ebanda, Atangana Ateba, Pierre Marcel Anicet Noah, Benoit Ndiwe, Abel Emmanuel Njom
KEYWORDS:
Triumfetta cordifolia Fibers, Morphology, Chemical Analysis, Thermal Degradation, Mechanical Behavior
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.8 No.4,
June
3,
2020
ABSTRACT: The project consists in the implementation of a biocomposite based on
tannin resin and natural rubber matrices with the bast fibres of Triumfetta cordifolia A.Rich.“Okong” from the equatorial region of
Cameroon as reinforcement. A study of this still little known fibre is
necessary. This paper evaluates the physico-chemical and mechanical
characteristics of the fibers. The fibers are extracted by us. A series of
experiments is conducted for this purpose: morphological observation with a
scanning electron microscope (SEM); density evaluation with a helium
pycnometer; absorption rate evaluation according to the protocol available in
the literature, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR), chemical
composition evaluation according to ASTM 1972 and ASTM 1977 standards,
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile tests on fiber bundles according
to NF T25-501-3. The results show that the fiber is made up of several
elementary fibers with oval cross-sections. A density of 1.477g/cm3 close to that of hemp. These fibers have a water absorption rate of 342.5%,
which correlates with the presence of free hydroxyl functional groups obtained
from the spectrometry study (FT-IR). Chemical analysis reveals that the fiber
is made up of celluloses (44.4%), hemicelluloses (30.8%), lignins (18.9%),
pectins (3.3%), waxes (0.5%) and minerals (2.1%). In addition, we learn that
the fibers studied dehydrate at 11.49%, showinga notable thermal stability around 235°C with a peak thermal
decomposition of cellulose located at 420°C. In terms of mechanical behaviour,
the results reveal that the fibers offer a Young’s modulus in traction of 12.4
± 6.9 GPa, a tensile strength of 526 ± 128 MPa and an elongation at break of
2.25%. The information thus obtained makes it possible to place these fibers in
the same fiber group as flax and jute. They could therefore be used for the
same types of applications. They also inform us that these fibers can withstand
the temperatures of composite shaping by thermocompression.