title: Characterization of a novel natural cellulosic fiber from Prosopis juliflora bark.
abstract: Natural fibers from plants are ideal choice for producing polymer composites. Bark fibers of Prosopis juliflora (PJ), an evergreen plant have not been utilized for making polymer composites yet. Hence, a study was undertaken to evaluate their suitability as a novel reinforcement for composite structures. PJ fiber (PJF) was analyzed extensively to understand its chemical and physical properties. The PJF belonged to gelatinous or mucilaginous type. Its lignin content (17.11%) and density (580 kg/m(3)) were relatively higher and lower, respectively in comparison to bark fibers of other plants. The free chemical groups on it were studied by FTIR and XRD. It had a tensile strength of 558±13.4 MPa with an average strain rate of 1.77±0.04% and microfibril angle of 10.64°±0.45°. Thermal analyses (TG and DTG) showed that it started degrading at a temperature of 217 °C with kinetic activation energy of 76.72 kJ/mol.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar 626001, Tamil Nadu, India. sankarameena@yahoo.co.in
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Saravanakumar
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kumaravel
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Nagarajan
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Sudhakar
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Baskaran
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D029862:Prosopis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D002482:Cellulose