Comprehensive characterization ofCocciniagrandis fiber and itsPotential for composite Reinforcement

Abstract

Global warming, ozone depletion, climate change, human health and environmental pollution are inter-related issues forcing scientists, researchers and academicians to find viable solution from all fronts. In this regard, material scientists are also contributing by developing new green eco-friendly materials. Many natural fibers have attractive features such as low density, renewability, biodegradability, better specific strength and modulus, which are feasible to be used as a reinforcing material in polymer composite. Nowadays, polymer composite has established its potential as an alternate material for many conventional materials in various engineering applications. Especially, natural fibers are being employed as a better alternative solution to harmful synthetic fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites. In this work, one such natural fiber, Cocciniagrandis fiber (CGF) is identified as a potential new reinforcement material and they are collected from local agro farms. Cocciniagrandis (CG) is a perennial plant belonging to cucurbitaceae family having a local name in Tamil language as kovakkai . CG is an aggressive mountaineering creeper, which can grow to a height of 28 m and is available in plenty in several countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. The fibers extracted from its bast and root named as Cocciniagrandisbast (CGB) and Cocciniagrandis root (CGR) respectively were comprehensively characterized for its anatomical, mechanical, thermal, morphological and physico-chemical properties through standard test procedures. These test results were compared with some of the popular natural fibers and man-made fibers. newline