title: Characterization of new natural cellulosic fiber from Cissus quadrangularis root.
abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer composites are replacing many metallic structures due to its high specific strength and modulus. However commonly used man-made E-glass fibers are hazardous for health and carcinogenic by nature. Comprehensive characterization of Cissus quadrangularis root fiber such as anatomical study, chemical analysis, physical analysis, FTIR, XRD, SEM analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis are done. The results are very encouraging for its application in fiber industries, composite manufacturing, etc. Due to its light weight and the presence of high cellulose content (77.17%) with very little wax (0.14%) provide high specific strength and good bonding properties. The flaky honeycomb outer surface and low microfibril angle revealed through electron microscopy contributes for its high modulus. The thermo gravimetric analysis indicates better thermal stability of the fiber up to 230°C, which is well within the polymerization process temperature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Xavier's Catholic College of Engineering, Nagercoil 629003, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Indran
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Xavier's Catholic College of Engineering, Nagercoil 629003, India. Electronic address: redwinraj@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R Edwin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, VV College of Engineering, Tisaiyanvilai 627657, India.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Sreenivasan
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D032422:Cissus / Q000737:chemistry*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008422:Materials Testing; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D002482:Cellulose
keywords: Cellulosic fiber; Cissus quadrangularis; FTIR; SEM; TGA; XRD