Extraction and Characterization of Munja Fibers and Its Potential in the Biocomposites

Abstract

Increased ecological awareness, as well as stringent laws and legislation by government agencies, have restricted the use of synthetic fibers as reinforcement. This cognizance shifted the interest of engineers and research fraternity toward the use of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymers to develop sustainable composites. The current experimental investigation deals with the extraction and characterization of ‘munja’ fibers, extracted from Saccharum munja grass. A novel method has been developed for extraction of fibers from the grass followed by extensive evaluation of its physical (structure, density, crystallinity), morphological (surface area, voids), chemical (surface chemistry, hydrophobicity), thermal (thermogravimetry, activation energy), and mechanical properties for its reinforcement potential in polymer matrix composites. Mechanical properties of extracted fibers have also been analyzed in terms of tensile strength and modulus using Weibull’s statistical approach. All the aspects have been discussed thoroughly for their contribution in defining the global characteristics of biocomposites. The obtained results substantiate that munja fibers have an enormous potential to be used as a reinforcement in biocomposites, which can be commercially exploited for engineering applications. © 2020 Taylor & Francis.