TITLE:
Investigating the Effect of Chemical Treatment on the Constituents and Tensile Properties of Sisal Fibre
AUTHORS:
I.O. Oladele, J.A. Omotoyinbo, J.O.T. Adewara
KEYWORDS:
Investigate chemical treatment, constituents, tensile properties, and sisal fibre.
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.9 No.6,
June
20,
2010
ABSTRACT: This work was carried out to investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the constituents
and tensile properties of sisal fibre (Agave Sisalana). Sisal leaves were cut and buried
underground close to the stream and were wetted with water regularly in order to ensure
proper fermentation for about 15 days. The fermented leaves were washed and sun dried. The
dried sisal fibre obtained was treated mechanically with chemicals after which the
percentages of their constituents were characterized and, their tensile properties determined
with Instron universal tensile testing machine. The results show that the chemical treatments
enhance the removal of lignin and hemicelluloses which are detrimental to the bonding
strength of composite produced from natural fibres except that of sample treated with
alkaline peroxide. The results of the tensile test revealed that sample treated sequentially with
KOH, acetic acid, NaCl and HCl has the best tensile properties followed by the sample
treated with alkaline peroxide.