THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SANSEVIERIA GREEN FIBER REINFORCEMENT

The green fibers were extracted from sansevieria leaves and treated with 5% aqueous NaOH solution. The primary and derivate thermograms of the untreated and alkali-treated fibers were measured using a TGA/DTA instrument. The thermal stability of fibers was found to increase on alkali treatment. Thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of fibers were investigated as a function of temperature. It was found that the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of fiber decreased with increase of temperature. From a tensile test it was found that mechanical properties of the fiber improved after alkali treatment.