Exploring the Potential of Fique Fiber as a Natural Composite Material: A Comprehensive Characterization Study

Abstract

Many studies available in the literature focus mainly on the mechanical characterization of fiber, leaving out other physicochemical and thermogravimetric analyses that allow for establishing its potential as an engineering material. This study characterizes fique fiber for its potential use as an engineering material. The fiber’s chemical composition and physical, thermal, mechanical, and textile properties were analyzed. The fiber has a high holocellulose content and low lignin and pectin content, indicating its potential as a natural composite material for various applications. Infrared spectrum analysis revealed characteristic bands associated with multiple functional groups. The fiber had monofilaments with diameters around 10 μm and 200 μm, as determined by AFM and SEM images, respectively. Mechanical testing showed the fiber could resist a maximum stress of 355.07 MPa, with an average maximum strain at which breakage occurs of 8.7%. The textile characterization revealed a linear density range of 16.34 to 38.83 tex, with an average value of 25.54 tex and a regain of 13.67%. Thermal analysis showed that the fiber’s weight decreased by around 5% due to moisture removal in the range of 40 °C to 100 °C, followed by weight loss due to thermal degradation of hemicellulose and glycosidic linkages of cellulose ranging from 250 to 320 °C. These characteristics suggest that fique fiber can be used in industries such as packaging, construction, composites, and automotive, among others.

Comprehensive characterization of spathe fibres extracted from Cocos nucifera: physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties for insulation applications

“…The average linear density was found to be 58.85 tex (i.e., 1000 m of CS fibre had a mass of 58.85 g), and the standard deviation was 35.8%. The dispersion of linear density values obtained in this study was plotted in the histogram and found to be normally distributed [24]. The segments between 40 and 80 tex have the highest frequencies.…”

“…The extracted CS fibres were equilibrated under standard test conditions, i.e., 20 °C temperature and 65% RH for 24 h [24]. The physical characterization of the CS fibre was developed by determining the length, diameter, linear density, and density of fibres.…”

“…The linear density of fibre is defined as the measurement of mass per unit length or length per unit mass. In this study, it is defined as the mass (g) of a fibre that was 1000 meters long and was expressed in terms of 'tex' [24]. ASTM D1577-07 (2012) is the recommended test method for the measurement of the linear density of textile fibres.…”

“…Leaf materials like abaca, fique, sisal, henequen, and pineapple generally consist of cellulose between 50% and 70% and lignin between 10 and 20%. Hence, these fibres are called hard, tough, and rustic fibres [24]. CS fibres have 37.75% hemicellulose in their structure.…”