Characterization of a new natural fiber from Arundo donax L. as potential reinforcement of polymer composites.
The aim of this paper is to study the possibility of using of Arundo donax L. fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites. The fibers are extracted from the outer part of the stem of the plant, which widely grows in Mediterranean area and is diffused all around the world. To use these lignocellulosic fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites, it is necessary to investigate their microstructure, chemical composition and mechanical properties. Therefore, the morphology of A. donax L. fibers was investigated through electron microscopy, the thermal behavior through thermogravimetric analysis and the real density through a helium pycnometer. The chemical composition of the natural fibers in terms of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and ash contents was determinated by using standard test methods. The mechanical characterization was carried out through single fiber tensile tests and a reliability analysis of the experimental data was performed. Furthermore, a mathematical model was applied to investigate the relation between the transverse dimension of the fibers and the mechanical properties.
Department of "Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali", University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.fiore@unipa.it.
V
V
Fiore
Department of "Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali", University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
T
T
Scalici
Department of "Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali", University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
A
A
Valenza
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; C007916:hemicellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin
Arundo donax fiber; Infrared spectroscopy; Mechanical property; Scanning electron microscopy; Statistical analysis; Thermogravimetric analysis