Influence of cryogenic and chemical treatment on thermal and physical properties of hemp fabric

Abstract

Conventional synthetic materials in engineering applications are imprinting our ecosystem with non-biodegradable wastes. Environmental awareness throughout the world has influenced materials design and selection, which is leading to orientation from synthetic to biodegradable materials. Efforts are put to improve the properties of existing natural materials for engineering applications. In this study hemp fabric was subjected to alkalization, maleic anhydride treatment and cryogenic treatment, to improve the fabric’s physiochemical properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Differential Thermo gravimetric Analysis (DTG) were used to investigate the changes in thermal behaviour of untreated and treated fabric. Physical properties such as functional groups of fabrics were studied and compared with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Alkalization and maleic anhydride treatment on fabric have substantially increased the number of hydrogen bonding in cellulose, which lead to increase in stiffness of the fabric. Thermal stability of hemp fabric has increased significantly with cryogenic treatment. An increase in the cellulose composition after the cryogenic treatment shows better physical properties. These observations give hemp fibbers wide range of opportunity to be part of engineering applications with thermal stability, stiffness, and eco-friendly requirements.