Mechanical and physical characterization of sodium hydroxide treated Borassus fruit fibers

In order to improve the properties by chemical modification and to optimize the alkali concentration, we treated Borassus fruit fine fibers with aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions of different concentrations. In each case, the tensile properties of the fibers were determined. The morphology of the untreated and alkali treated fibers was observed using scanning electron microscope. The surface of the fibers became rough on alkali treatment. The...