Characterization of Grewia bicolor fibre and its use in the development of composites

The fibre of Grewia bicolor bark (GB) was extracted and used as reinforcement for the development fibreboards using orthophtalique unsaturated polyester (UP) as a matrix. Two methods of extraction of fibres were used, namely biological retting and chemical extraction by a sodium hydroxide solution at a 5% concentration. Chemical, Physical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics were determined using ATF FTIR, mechanical test and thermogravimetric analysis. The theoretical density of the characterized fibres was 1.30 g/cm(3). The porosity decreases by 5% from the root to the leaves. The SEM analysis indicated the presence of fibrils coated with a rough sheath similar to a honeycomb cell structure. The use of NaOH in the extraction method removes the hemicellulose, pectin, wax, and lignin from the fibres. The average elasticity modulus of untreated and treated fibres are, respectively, E = 35.18 & PLUSMN; 2.25 MPa and E = 33.47 & PLUSMN; 2.35 MPa and internal bond of fibreboards are 0.98 & PLUSMN; 0.05 MPa and 1.06 & PLUSMN; 0.02 MPa.

Automated summary

In this study, the fibre of Grewia bicolor bark was extracted and used as reinforcement for fibreboards. Two extraction methods were used, biological retting and chemical extraction using a sodium hydroxide solution. The properties of the fibres were characterized using various methods, including ATF FTIR, mechanical tests, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the extracted fibres had a theoretical density of 1.30 g/cm³ and a 5% decrease in porosity from root to leaves. SEM analysis revealed the presence of fibrils with a honeycomb cell-like structure. The use of NaOH in the extraction method removed hemicellulose, pectin, wax, and lignin from the fibres. The untreated and treated fibres had average elasticity moduli of E = 35.18 ± 2.25 MPa and E = 33.47 ± 2.35 MPa, respectively, and the internal bond strength of the fibreboards was 0.98 ± 0.05 MPa and 1.06 ± 0.02 MPa.