37 CHAPTER 3 PROPERTIES OF ROSELLE FIBER, SISAL FIBER AND POLYESTER RESIN 3.1 INTRODUCTION The plant fiber composites have been used by the human race ever since the onset of civilization as a source of energy, to make shelters, clothes, construct tools and produce weapons. The best example is the use of straw as reinforcement for clay to build walls in ancient Egypt, 3000 years ago. Glue laminated beams were also introduced using a casein adhesive in 1893 in Basel, Switzerland. Some creative designs were made but limited by the shape and weight of the structural elements. As early as 1908, the first composite materials were attempted for the fabrication of large quantities of sheets, tubes and pipes (paper or cotton to reinforce phenol- or melamine- formaldehyde resins sheets). In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the natural fiber as a substitute for synthetic fibers. Natural fibers as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites provide positive environmental benefits with respect to ultimate disposability and raw material utilization. The properties of the composites depend upon the properties of the individual components in the composites. Hence it is essential that the strength of fiber and matrix have to be established. This chapter deals with the fiber separation process and their properties. Moisture absorption of the roselle and sisal fibers in distilled water at room temperature is also studied.
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37
CHAPTER 3
PROPERTIES OF ROSELLE FIBER, SISAL FIBER
AND POLYESTER RESIN
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The plant fiber composites have been used by the human race ever
since the onset of civilization as a source of energy, to make shelters, clothes,
construct tools and produce weapons. The best example is the use of straw as
reinforcement for clay to build walls in ancient Egypt, 3000 years ago. Glue
laminated beams were also introduced using a casein adhesive in 1893 in
Basel, Switzerland. Some creative designs were made but limited by the
shape and weight of the structural elements. As early as 1908, the first
composite materials were attempted for the fabrication of large quantities of
sheets, tubes and pipes (paper or cotton to reinforce phenol- or melamine-
formaldehyde resins sheets). In recent years, there has been a renewed interest
in the natural fiber as a substitute for synthetic fibers. Natural fibers as
reinforcements in polymer matrix composites provide positive environmental
benefits with respect to ultimate disposability and raw material utilization.
The properties of the composites depend upon the properties of the
individual components in the composites. Hence it is essential that the
strength of fiber and matrix have to be established. This chapter deals with the
fiber separation process and their properties. Moisture absorption of the
roselle and sisal fibers in distilled water at room temperature is also studied.
38
The matrix material used unsaturated polyester resin and its mechanical
properties are studied and presented here.
3.2 FIBER SEPARATION PROCESS
The common word for H. sabdariffa (Roselle) is Mesta which
produces good fiber of commerce. These are major fiber yielding species in
India. Roselle and sisal fibers find traditional, age-old applications in the form
of high strength ropes in India. From lost decade, Roselle and Sisal fibers
were used traditionally in age-old applications in the form of high strength
ropes in India, especially, in Tamilnadu villages. The roselle fibers used as
low weight and high strength ropes to lift the heavy weight from Well etc.
The sisal fibers used to fix together the coconut leaf and wooden stem while
preparing the roof of a house. These fibers have not been really examined
from a composite angle at that time. These fibers have been the main source
of revenue of the people in this area for more than three decades.
In Tamilnadu region, the roselle (Botanical Name: Hibiscus
sabdariffa L, Family: Malvaceae), Local names: Pulichchai kerai (Tamil);
Lal-ambari (Hindi), fiber is cultivated in many villages to protect the food
plants, as a sides for food, medical purposes and specifically for fibers to
produce the high strength rope and gift articles etc. (Figure 3.1). This plant is
an erect, branched, smooth or nearly smooth annual herb 1 to 2 meters in
height. Roselle is used for making tarts, jellies, and wine. The young leaves of
the roselle are used as a substitute for spinach, or they may be cooked with
fish or meat in making ‘sinigang’. Fiber is prepared from the bast of the stem.