31 - Biofibers of papaya tree bast: a statistical study of the mechanical properties for use potential in polymeric composites

Abstract

This experimental study was carried out to investigate the influence of three different maturation stages (immature, mature, and very mature) of bast fibers from papaya tree (Carica papaya L) on the mechanical and morphological properties. Papaya bast fibers (PBFs) were extracted from papaya tree bast usually discarded by the agroindustry despite their potential for use as reinforcement in textile composites. The chemical functional groups of the PBFs, crystallinity index (60.2%–65.2%), and crystallite size (2.34–2.39nm) were obtained via Fourier transform-infrared analysis and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The surface morphology of PBFs was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with field emission. The obtained results (tensile strength, tenacity, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, energy at rupture, and specific modulus) conclude that mature PBFs are appropriate fibers for use as reinforcement in manufacturing of green composite product in various innovative applications such as ecological, biodegradable, and renewable resources with unique properties (specifically morphological).