Lignocellulosic fibres chemical composition

The performance of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites depends on several factors, including fibre chemical composition, cell dimensions, microfibrillar angle, defects, structure, physical and mechanical properties, and the interaction of a fibre with the polymeric matrix [28]. The knowledge about the characteristics of the fibre is essential in order to expand the effective use of lignocellulosic materials for polyethylene composites and to improve their performance. 

Table 5.1 Chemical composition and mechanical properties of the lignocellulosic fibres as compared with E-glass fibre (Adapted from [4, 9, 28,30-32]). 

Natural fibre modification relies on chemical and physical techniques to improve the interfacial interactions between the polyethylene matrix and the natural phase. The principal chemical and physical routes explored in polyethylene lignocellulosic fibre composites can be summarized as follows ... 

Sheen, A.D. (1992). The preparation of acetylated wood fibre on a commercial scale. In Pacific Rim Bio-Based Composites Symposium Chemical Modification of Lignocellulosics, Plackett, D.V. and Dunningham, E.A. (Eds.). FRI Bulletin, 176, pp. 1-8. 

Pineapple leaf fibre (PALF), which is rich in cellulose, relatively inexpensive and abundantly available has the potential for polymer-reinforced composite. PALF at present is a waste product of pineapple cultivation. Hence, without any additional cost input, pineapple fibres can be obtained for industrial purposes. Among various natural fibres, PALFs exhibit excellent mechanical properties. These fibres are multicellular and lignocellulosic. They are extracted from the leaves of the plant Ananus cosomus belonging to the Bromeliaceae family by retting. The main chemical constituents of pineapple fibres are cellulose (70-82%), lignin (5-12%) and ash (1.1%). The superior mechanical properties of PALFs are associated with their high cellulose content. 

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