EFFECT OF CHEMICAL MODIFICATION ON THE SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS AND SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SISAL FIBRES

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Date
2013-05
Authors
NWADIOKWU, EHIEDU SUNNY
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Abstract
The effect of chemical modification on the surface characteristics and some mechanical properties of sisal fibers have been investigated. The sisal fibers were chemically modified using different concentrations of caustic soda while varying the treatment time. The surface characteristics of the untreated and treated samples were studied using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The moisture content and regain of the fibers were also investigated. The samples were also assessed for their tensile properties at different gauge lengths using the Ins-tron tensile tester. The results obtained showed that alkali modification had appreciable effect on the surface characteristics, moisture regain and tensile properties of the sisal fibers (Tenacity, Breaking extension, Young’s initial modulus and Work of rupture). The SEM micrograph revealed the rough surface topography of the sisal fibers caused by alkali modification which increased with increased concentration. Moisture content and regain also increased with increasing concentration. This increases the accessible surface of the sisal fibers, due to the increase in the amorphous region owing to the swelling of the fiber. Tenacity, work of rupture and breaking extension increased with increasing concentration of caustic soda while Young’s modulus decreased. However, these tensile properties decreased with increase in gauge length due to the “weak-link effect”. The time of treatment has no significant effect on all the properties investigated.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER DEGREE IN TEXTILE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. DEPARTMENT OF TEXTILE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. NIGERIA. MAY, 2013.
Keywords
EFFECT,, CHEMICAL,, MODIFICATION,, SURFACE,, CHARACTERISTICS,, MECHANICAL,, PROPERTIES,, SISAL,, FIBRES.
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