Effect of chemical treatments on physical properties of kenaf bast fibres

Abstract

In the present study, kenaf bast fibre surfaces have been modified using different chemicals with varying concentration. The effects of these chemical treatments on moisture content, water absorption, fibre diameter and bundle strength are investigated. The benefit of chemical treatments in the removal of impurities from the fibre surfaces has been established by scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the fibres treated with sodium hydroxide and acetic acid show major effect on fibre diameter. Compared to untreated kenaf fibre, strong alkali (NaOH) treatment show maximum water absorption (78.76%) and moisture content (8.15%). In fibre bundle tensile strength, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate treated fibres show more than 80% improvement in the tensile strength of fibre. Kenaf fibre treated with 10% Na₂CO₃ show highest tensile strength of 410 MPa.