Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers

Sisal fibers were extracted and treated in alkali solutions of varying pH concentrations to alter their physical properties for the study. The study explores the effect of the pH concentrations on the internal microstructure using computed tomography, the changes in fibers surface topography using l...

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Main Authors: R. D. Murwamadala, L. B. Mathebela, M. P. Mubiayi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Natural Fibers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15440478.2024.2370028
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author R. D. Murwamadala
L. B. Mathebela
M. P. Mubiayi
author_facet R. D. Murwamadala
L. B. Mathebela
M. P. Mubiayi
author_sort R. D. Murwamadala
collection DOAJ
description Sisal fibers were extracted and treated in alkali solutions of varying pH concentrations to alter their physical properties for the study. The study explores the effect of the pH concentrations on the internal microstructure using computed tomography, the changes in fibers surface topography using laser confocal microscopy, and how the mechanical properties are affected regarding their surface topography and internal microstructure. The X-ray microscopy scans showed that the untreated fibers are hollow throughout their length, and when treated, these voids collapse and reduce the fibers’ diameter. Moreover, this also showed that treatment affects the complete structure of the fiber. Where a pronounced degradation was observed at 25%. This also affects the overall fibers’ surface topography and mechanical properties. Where optimal mechanical properties were reported at 1% alkali treatment, this is evidently supported by the change in surface topology at this concentration. This means optimal properties may be achieved at the alkali concentration range below 1% and not necessarily at higher concentrations.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Journal of Natural Fibers
spelling doaj-art-024c48d763be4d12beea8a960a73a04c2025-08-20T01:54:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Natural Fibers1544-04781544-046X2024-12-0121110.1080/15440478.2024.2370028Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal FibersR. D. Murwamadala0L. B. Mathebela1M. P. Mubiayi2Department of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South AfricaInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South AfricaSisal fibers were extracted and treated in alkali solutions of varying pH concentrations to alter their physical properties for the study. The study explores the effect of the pH concentrations on the internal microstructure using computed tomography, the changes in fibers surface topography using laser confocal microscopy, and how the mechanical properties are affected regarding their surface topography and internal microstructure. The X-ray microscopy scans showed that the untreated fibers are hollow throughout their length, and when treated, these voids collapse and reduce the fibers’ diameter. Moreover, this also showed that treatment affects the complete structure of the fiber. Where a pronounced degradation was observed at 25%. This also affects the overall fibers’ surface topography and mechanical properties. Where optimal mechanical properties were reported at 1% alkali treatment, this is evidently supported by the change in surface topology at this concentration. This means optimal properties may be achieved at the alkali concentration range below 1% and not necessarily at higher concentrations.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15440478.2024.2370028Surface roughnessx-ray microscopycomputed tomographysisallaser confocal microscope表面粗糙度
spellingShingle R. D. Murwamadala
L. B. Mathebela
M. P. Mubiayi
Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
Journal of Natural Fibers
Surface roughness
x-ray microscopy
computed tomography
sisal
laser confocal microscope
表面粗糙度
title Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
title_full Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
title_fullStr Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
title_short Impact of Alkali Treatment on the Internal Microstructure, Surface Topography and the Resulting Mechanical Properties of Single Sisal Fibers
title_sort impact of alkali treatment on the internal microstructure surface topography and the resulting mechanical properties of single sisal fibers
topic Surface roughness
x-ray microscopy
computed tomography
sisal
laser confocal microscope
表面粗糙度
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15440478.2024.2370028
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