Open Access

ARTICLE

Effect of Alkali Treatment on Saharan aloe vera cactus Fibre Properties and Optimization of Process by Response Surface Methodology

GOBI NALLATHAMBI, BHARGAVI RAM THIMMIAH^*

Department of Textile Technology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tamil nadu, India

* Corresponding Author: e-mail:

Journal of Polymer Materials 2020, 37(3-4), 189-200. https://doi.org/10.32381/JPM.2020.37.3-4.6

Abstract

The aim of this study is to optimize the process parameters of alkali treated Saharan aloe vera cactus fibres using of Box-behnken experimental design. The Saharan aloe vera cactus fibres were treated with different concentration of NaOH, soaking time and temperature which affect the properties of fibres and plays main role in removal of lignin, hemicellulose, pectin and wax content. The chemical composition of untreated and treated fibres was analyzed by standard methods. XRD result shows the improvement in the crystallinity index of fibres due to alkali treatment. ATR-FTIR analysis shows that hemicellulose and lignin were decreased in all alkali treated fibres. SEM micrographs show the surface roughness in alkali treated fibres. Mechanical properties for the treated and untreated fibres were tested and analysed through single fibre tensile strength tester. TGA proves that thermal stability and decomposition temperature were increased for alkali treated fibres.

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