Authors: I. C. Eromosele, E. O. Egunsola
Polymer Science & Technology General Journal of Applied Polymer Science Vol 75 Issue 1
INTRODUCTION
Natural fibers from plant sources feature a wide range of physicochemical properties, some of which are dependent on the nature of the plants and on the parts from which the fibers are derived.1–4 Furthermore, the properties of fibers are greatly influenced by the configurational characteristics of their molecules. For example,
vegetable fibers have spiral molecules that are highly parallel to one another, and for some fibers such as flax, ramie, and hemp, the spiral angles are low, accounting for their high strength and low extensibility. 1,2 In addition, fiber density is believed to be closely related to the mechanical properties, moisture absorption, homogeneity, and degree of order of the fiber.5 Cellulosic fibers have a wide range of industrial application in their native forms and in the modified forms, such as rubber-cellulose fiber composites.6,7 In a previous report,8 it was shown that some bast fibers from unconventional sources may have industrial applications, based on their physicochemical properties, which were largely comparable to those of the conventional ones. The present report is an extension of these studies to include other less well-known bast fibers from a variety of plants, some of which grow as shrubs and are cultivatable, namely, Avaria chamae, Corchorus olitorius, Corchorus tridens, Fiscus thonningii, Grewia mollis, Hibiscus miranthus, and Hibiscus rostellatus. Their physical properties are reported and discussed.
Key words: cellulosic fibers; physical properties; plants