Effect of chemical treatments on properties of raffia palm (Raphia farinifera) fibers

Chemical treatment is used to improve interfacial bonding of natural fibers to polymers to produce natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites with enhanced mechanical properties. In the present study, raffia palm (Raphia farinifera) fibers intended for use in composite manufacture was subjected to chemical treatments with NaOH and H2SO4 solutions. Morphological, thermal, tensile, physical and structural changes in the fibers before and after treatment were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, universal testing machine and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Chemical treatment reduced the tensile strength of the fibers. Some non-cellulosic components were partially or fully removed as a result of chemical treatment. There was an increase in the degradation temperature of the fibers due to chemical treatment. Water absorption capacity of the fibers decreased as a results of chemical treatment, which will be beneficial in composite synthesis. [GRAPHICS] .