Evaluation of Calotropis gigantea as a Promising Raw Material for Fiber-reinforced Composite

Abstract

In this study the feasibility of applying two kinds of mudar (Calotropis gigantea) fibers, namely bark fibers and seed fibers, as an alternative raw material for fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) is investigated. The chemical analysis of the bark and seed fibers indicates that their main components are holocellulose 76 and 69%, cellulose 57 and 49%, lignin 18 and 23%, and alkali soluble substances 17 and 15%, respectively. There are statistically significant differences in the bark and seed fiber dimensions. The bark fibers are long, with a thin wall relative to their diameter, and are therefore lightweight. The seed and bark fibers are very similar to hard-and soft-woods, in terms of chemical compositions and fiber dimensions, respectively. The mechanical properties of the mudar bark fibers are: tensile strength 381 MPa, strain at break 2.1% and Young's modulus 9.7 GPa. In general, both types of fibers have enough potential for replacing or supplementing other fibrous raw materials as reinforcing agent.

Evaluation on a Promising Natural Cellulose Fiber- Calotropis Gigantea Fiber

“…The peak at 2918cm -1 corresponds to the stretching vibration of C-H. Peaks at 1733cm [13] also shows that fibers from calotropis gigantea seed mainly contain cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin at the content of 49%, 20%, and 20%, respectively (the content of hemicellulose is derived from the amount of holocellulose, 69%) . …”

“…Besides, there is still a very import part of the plant can be used widely, that is, calotropis gigantea fiber. Fibers can be obtained from the seeds or stems of the plant [12][13][14][15]. This paper only focuses on seed fibers.…”

“…The quite earlier report on this fiber was found in 1984 [5], implementing study on the feasibility of using it to make textile fabric by blending with cotton or synthetic fibers. From then on, certain amount of literature can be searched on fiber structure, chemical treatment, biodegradability and natural antibacterial activity [13,14,16,17]. Previous studies show that, calotropis gigantea fiber is a kind of natural cellulose fiber, mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, water soluble substance, wax, and ash [13,16].…”

“…From then on, certain amount of literature can be searched on fiber structure, chemical treatment, biodegradability and natural antibacterial activity [13,14,16,17]. Previous studies show that, calotropis gigantea fiber is a kind of natural cellulose fiber, mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, water soluble substance, wax, and ash [13,16]. It seems like a tube with thin wall and high hollowness just like kapok fiber, and is commonly used to reinforce composites [13].…”

“…Previous studies show that, calotropis gigantea fiber is a kind of natural cellulose fiber, mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, water soluble substance, wax, and ash [13,16]. It seems like a tube with thin wall and high hollowness just like kapok fiber, and is commonly used to reinforce composites [13].…”