Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2006 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 2450-2455
DOI: 10.3923/jas.2006.2450.2455

Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Technical Esparto (Alfa) Fibres

L. Ghali, M. Zidi and S. Roudesli

Abstract: The aim of this study is to give scientific data about the physical, morphological and mechanical proprieties of esparto fibres. The use of esparto fibres for reinforcing thermoplastics is a novel way. That is why a better investigation of their proprieties and surface characteristics is necessary to maximize their potential use. In this study, different methods of extraction were conducted on the fibres using mechanical separation (At1), aqueous solution of NaOH 3N (At2) and chemical modification by acetylation (At3). Esparto fibres were characterized through technical analysis such as SEM and FTIR. The result of microscopic analysis shows that esparto fibres have a similar structure to that of a composite material in which the ultimate fibres of cellulose constitute the reinforcement. The pycnometric measurement shows that the density of esparto fibres is similar to those of jute and Agave americana L. The FTIR spectra of various esparto fibres show a decrease of the number of carboxyl groups after (At2) fibres acetylating. This result proves the contribution of the chemical modifications for the hydrophobic improvement of the proprieties of fibres. In addition a comparison between properties of esparto fibres and other vegetal ones has been integrated. The results of this study indicate that technical esparto fibres can have promising properties especially in reinforcement of composite materials

Keywords: Esparto fibre, extraction, characterization, physical properties and mechanical properties

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