17th International Fiber and Polymer Research Symposium

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Effects of chemical treatments on morphological, physical and chemical properties of okra bast fibers

Authors :

Mahmut Ersoy¹ Nazire Deniz Yılmaz²

1- Usak Universitesi Tekstil Mühendisliği Bölümü 1 Eylül Kampüsü Uşak 64200 2- Usak Universitesi Tekstil Mühendisliği Bölümü 1 Eylül Kampüsü Uşak 64200

Keywords :

Agro-residual،Biodegradable،Chemical processes،Natural fiber،Okra bast fiber،Renewable

Abstract :

In this study, bast fibers have been obtained from okra plant stems via biological degumming process. The obtained fibers were subjected to some textile pretreatment processes such as scouring, alkalizing, oxygen bleaching and chlorine bleaching which are also utilized in cellulose nanoparticle production. Effects of these processes on their physical and chemical characteristics have been investigated. Treatments led to decrease of fiber linear density, but increase of moisture content and water absorption capacity. Linear density reduction took place by fibrillation and elimination of impurities. Prolonged submerging resulted in increment in water absorption. FT-IR spectra present evidence for removal of lignin, hemicelluloses and vaxes upon chemical treatments. The ranges of the linear density, moisture content and water absorption of okra bast fibers are 6.3-20.1 tex, 2.9-6.0%, and 5.80 g/g to 11.8 g/g, respectively. Properties of okra bast fibers show similarities to conventional bast fibers such as flax, hemp and jute.