Microwave radiation technique for the isolation of Sunn Hemp natural fiber in the application of material processing

Abstract

Experimental works have been done on Sunn Hemp fiber and its reinforced composite to investigate various properties. Sunn Hemp fiber is modified physically by a multimode microwave oven (2.45 Hz) at the power of 160W–800W with 120W with varying time from 2 to 10 min with 4 min of interval. The fiber and composite properties are characterized structurally and physically. An increase in crystallinity and crystallite size in treated fiber is observed in X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) study, where Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) shows no change in basic crystallinity in fiber. Morphology of treated fiber shows fibrillation and rough surface, but a higher treatment makes the fiber brittle and carbonized. Change in hydrophilicity from contact angle study and crosslinking density from equilibrium swelling theory affects the flexural and tensile properties of treated composites.