Physico-chemical and mechanical characterization of alkali-treated Agave americana L. fiber

This study investigates the effect of mercerization on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of Agave americana L. fiber. The alkali concentration is a crucial parameter which affects the crystallinity and the tenacity of the fiber. Treatments with low alkali concentrations produce fibers that are stronger than the untreated fibers and at this level the crystallinity reaches high values. However, treatments with high concentrations (>2% wt/v) result in weaker fibers with low crystallinity index. The chemical composition of A. americana L. fibers is also altered by the mercerization process insofar as the cellulose content increased with the NaOH concentration while the hemicelluloses and lignin contents decreased.