Agave Fibers Research Articles

Effect of alkali treatment and fibre length on agave/mortar composite properties

The use of natural vegetable fibres to reinforce cement and cement mortar is well studied in the literature. This paper focused on the efficient deployment of Agave americana L. fibre by using it as reinforcement in cement mortar. Two parameters that affect the mechanical properties of composites were taken into account, mainly fibre length and fibre pre-treatment. The tensile and flexural strengths of the specimens were determined. Results of this study indicated that the fibre length influences both flexural and tensile properties. When treated with 2 % NaOH, the tenacity of agave fiber passed from 32 cN/tex to 40 cN/tex and its crystallinity increased from 13 % to 44 %. The fibre length of 20 mm appeared to be the optimum value over which the flexural strength decreased due to the bundling effects of the long fibres. Besides, treating the fibres with an alkaline solution of 2 % NaOH could improve the mechanical properties of agave/mortar composite in such a way that the tensile strength increased from 4.5 MPa to 10.9 MPa for a fiber length of 25 mm. The main result of this study showed the possibility of using Agave americana L. fibres to implement low cost construction materials.

Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Analysis of Himalayan Agave Fiber /GO Coated Fly Ash Hybrid Polypropylene Composites.

Composites containing two different types of reinforcements offer a wide range of possibilities and synergistic properties. This study investigates the hybridization effect of chemically active fly ash (FA) (5 wt.%) on the composites made from alkali (1 wt.%) - APTES silane (2 wt.%) treated Himalayan agave fibers (HAF) (25 wt.%) and polypropylene (PP). Prior to FA activation, the planetary ball mill was used to suitably reduce the particle size of the FA with was confirmed by the dynamic light scattering approach. Secondary reinforcement FA was modified with APTES silane (1 wt.%), followed by treatment with graphene oxide (GO) (0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%). The highest tensile strength of 40.47 MPa and modulus of 1.49 GPa were observed for the hybrid composites fabricated from 0.75 and 1.0 wt.% GO treated fly ash. Interestingly, this trend differed for flexural properties, and the highest flexural strength of 53.52 MPa was demonstrated by 0.5 wt.% GO treated FA hybrid composite. Thermal characterization revealed that addition of fiber increased crystallinity but decreased thermal stability, whereas a good wettability of the fiber and FA in matrix was demonstrated through morphological characterization.

Modeling the elastoplastic behavior of agave fiber prior and after its incorporation within a thermoplastic matrix: Analysis of the fiber aspect ratio on the mechanical properties

Modeling the elastoplastic behavior of agave fiber prior and after its incorporation within a thermoplastic matrix: Analysis of the fiber aspect ratio on the mechanical properties

Preparation and characterization of a sustainable foamed biocomposite from compatibilized recycled polyethylene and agave fiber

Preparation and characterization of a sustainable foamed biocomposite from compatibilized recycled polyethylene and agave fiber

Biocomposites based on polypropylene and Agave fibers (Agave Americana L): investigation on physical, thermal and mechanical properties

Biocomposites based on polypropylene and Agave fibers (Agave Americana L): investigation on physical, thermal and mechanical properties

Mechanical recycling of poly(lactic acid)/agave fiber biocomposites

This paper focuses on evaluating the mechanical recycling potential of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with agave fibers (AF). The biocomposites were prepared by extrusion using 5, 15, and 30 wt.% of agave fibers and reprocessed up to eight times. The results show that the fiber dimensions substantially decrease during reprocessing, especially after the first extrusion cycle, followed by a more gradual decrease in each subsequent cycle. The melt flow index (MFI) and the mechanical properties (except impact strength) tend to decrease as the fiber concentration increases. On the other hand, the glass transition temperature ( T g) and the crystallinity ( X c) of the biocomposites increased with increasing fiber concentration. It is important to highlight that closed-loop reprocessing does not significantly affect the overall behavior of the biocomposites under the conditions investigated. Therefore, PLA reinforced with AF is suitable for primary recycling since the final properties are mainly influenced by the fiber concentration and less by the number of reprocessing cycles.

Mechanical recycling of biobased polyethylene-agave fiber composites

Biobased polymers have emerged as a promising alternative to petroleum-based polymers in terms of lower environmental impact. However, to improve their carbon footprint, it is important to study strategies, such as recycling, extending the useful life of these biopolymers, and mitigate their higher costs compared to petroleum-based polymers. Adding agro-industrial wastes as fillers or reinforcements is another option to reduce the cost and increase the biobased content to produce composites. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of agave fibers to biobased linear low-density polyethylene (bio-LLDPE) and their effect on its reprocessing by extrusion, i.e., close-loop mechanical recycling. The results revealed that it was possible to reprocess the bio-LLDPE alone as limited changes in their physical properties were observed up to 34 cycles. However, for the composites, the viscosity changed in the first eight cycles mainly due to fiber break-up (lower aspect ratio). The dimensions of the agave fibers are modified by reprocessing. In the initial 8 cycles, there is a notable decrease in fiber dimensions, affecting the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the composites. The water uptake was found to decrease with each cycle due to better fiber dispersion and the reduction of interfacial voids/defects. Nevertheless, the color of the bio-LLDPE and its composites showed significant changes by reprocessing, which is associated with thermal and oxidation degradation. Despite minor property losses, the study reveals that bio-LLDPE/agave fiber composites exhibit a commendable level of sustainability. This characteristic enables their extended reuse and reprocessing over a prolonged duration.

Physico-mechanical and thermal properties of fly ash and benzoylated Himalayan Agave fiber reinforced polyester composite

Physico-mechanical and thermal properties of fly ash and benzoylated Himalayan Agave fiber reinforced polyester composite

Biopolymer composites based on ultrasound/plasma‐modified fiber waste and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT): Physicochemical and functional performance

AbstractA strategy for a circular economy is to reuse and modify agricultural wastes through green methodologies, which can be employed as high‐value raw materials to produce sustainable materials. Thus, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) composites containing plasma (P) and ultrasound/plasma (UP) modified Agave fibers (AF) were prepared by the melt mixing process. The effect of content (10% and 20%) and type of fiber on the processing, structural, mechanical, and water barrier performance of PBAT composites was assessed. FTIR analysis exhibited the presence of O‐Si‐O groups in all composites containing modified AF, indicating the presence of nanometric hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) coating on the fiber surface. The addition of modified AF into PBAT polymer promoted higher torque levels and specific energy during the composites processing, indicating higher matrix‐fiber interactions that hindered the free flow of the polymeric chains. Nevertheless, SEM, DSC, and crystallinity results revealed that PBAT‐AFUP composites exhibited more homogeneous surfaces and ordered structures that promoted higher entanglement between modified fibers and the PBAT matrix and restricted the binding sites for water interaction as changes in tensile modulus (from 90 to 163 MPa) and water contact angle (from 63 to 77°) indicated. These findings show that modified Agave fibers are a sustainable raw material that can be easily processed to produce soft and hydrophobic PBAT‐based composites.Highlights The fiber type determined the functional performance of the PBAT composites The modified fibers increased the entanglement of composite chains UP‐modified fibers improved the water barrier performance of the PBAT matrix

Development of a biodegradable composite material from agave fibers and wheat gluten

Development of a biodegradable composite material from agave fibers and wheat gluten

Life cycle assessment of agave bagasse management strategies: PLA biocomposites versus conventional waste disposal practices

Tequila production is one of Mexico's largest agro-industries, generating significant amounts of agave bagasse (AB) as its primary solid waste. Current AB management practices encompass composting, open dumps, and incineration. Life cycle analysis was developed to compare the environmental impact of these management scenarios with developing value-added agave fiber (AF) reinforced plastic biocomposites and generating biogas through anaerobic digestion. The assessment compares three molding methods for the PLA-AF biocomposite, with the environmental impact evaluated against pure PLA and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Extrusion-injection molding was the most environmentally friendly molding method across all indicators, primarily due to the reduced inputs required for pretreating the fibers. Among the current management scenarios, composting was the least environmentally impactful for the global warming potential indicator. Nonetheless, composting requires substantial time and land use, posing challenges for some producers. Incineration displayed a significant trade-off on the fossil resource scarcity indicator by replacing natural gas. Anaerobic digestion displayed high impacts in all indicators as AB does not yield high methane potential. While the production of PLA-AF displays a significantly higher environmental impact, it remains a preferable option when compared to pure PLA and may further improve its sustainability through green chemistry principles. Notably, LDPE was less environmentally impactful than both bioplastic options assessed, due to the environmental impacts of PLA production and the widespread standardization of LDPE production processes. Context-specificity is critical to assess the environmental impact of circular bioeconomy pathways, which are not always inherently beneficial, while addressing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Study on freshness, morphology, strength, and durability properties of foamed concrete reinforced with agave fiber

Currently, foamed concrete (FC) is widely employed in building construction and civil engineering works, and by using abundant natural fibers in FC, significant environmental benefits can be obtained. The durability properties of the essential materials acting independently could well be enhanced if the appropriate proportion of natural fiber-strengthened FC were used in the correct volume. This study aimed to develop new composite materials composed of FC and agave fiber (AF). The objective was to ascertain the optimal proportion of AF to be added to FC to increase its durability performance. A low-density FC of 950 kg/m3was fabricated utilizing varying percentages of AF, namely 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, 6.0%, and 7.5%. The evaluated properties were the shrinkage, workability, density, water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, porosity, compressive strength, and elastic modulus. Using AFs in FC, the optimal shrinkage and ultrasonic pulse velocity were observed. When the weight fractions of AF were increased from 1% to 4.5% in the mixtures, the porosity, workability, and water absorption of FC were significantly reduced. In addition, FC showed a slight increase in the dry density with the rise in the AF’s weight fraction and the increase in the curing age from day-7 to day-56. This research delivers noteworthy data on the durability properties of FC-AF composites, allowing future researchers to study other properties like the structural performance, strength properties, and thermal conductivity of FC-AF composites.

Weathering of compatibilized poly(hydroxybutyrate)/agave fiber biocomposites produced by different mixing methods

ABSTRACT The continuous growth in the biopolymers market underscores the necessity to develop and characterize novel materials to replace conventional polymers. This study evaluated the effect of the processing method on the properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate)/agave fiber (PHB/AF) biocomposites with a coupling agent based on glycidyl methacrylate. The components were first blended using two methods (dry-blending and twin screw-extrusion) before being compression molded. Then, the biocomposites degradation was evaluated via accelerated weathering to determine its effect on the physico-mechanical properties. The results showed that adding AF to PHB increased the porosity (low density), but this effect was decreased by 60% for the extruded compatibilized biocomposites. Consequently, the level of degradation (loss of mechanical properties and dimensional stability) was less affected when a coupling agent was used. However, after weathering, the porosity similarly increased for both uncompatibilized biocomposites. Finally, the tensile, impact, and flexural strength were less affected by weathering when the compatibilizer was mixed via dry-blending.

Additive construction using enhanced earthen-based composites: Improvement of the mechanical strength and water durability using chitosan and agave fibers

3D printing has emerged as a revolutionary technology with potential applications in the construction industry. However, the prevalent use of ordinary cement in most 3D printing formulations results in significant greenhouse gas emissions during 3D printing construction. In contrast, earthen-based composites are an eco-friendly alternative for building materials. However, as a construction material, earth presents poor mechanical strength and low durability against water erosion. This study aims to obtain earthen-based composites with suitable mechanical and durability properties to investigate their extrudability and buildability in tests. It also explores the effects of incorporating short sisal fibers (l/d ratio = 138.7) and chitosan (DD = 91%, Mw = 598 kDa) to improve strength and water durability in earthen-based composites for 3D printing purposes. Chitosan is a natural macromolecule derived from a waste product from the food industry, whereas sisal fibers are obtained from the Agave sisalana plant. The change in compressive strength was analyzed through uniaxial compression. Water durability was evaluated by measuring the water contact angle, total and capillary water absorption, and accelerated erosion tests. The results indicate that the use of 3.0% (w/v) aqueous solution of chitosan and 1.0% (w/w) of sisal fibers have an important effect on the hardening and water durability properties of earthen-based composites. This study suggests that these materials could serve as natural additives to enhance the mechanical properties and water durability of new eco-friendly construction materials for 3D printing. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that appropriate formulations with natural and eco-friendly additives can lead to stabilized earthen-based composites with suitable printing, mechanical and durability properties for 3D printing applications in construction materials.

An Experimental Study of Agave and Coconut Fibre Concrete

Abstract: Nowadays necessity of concrete is larger than the last decades. Mostly concrete is weak in tension and has some brittle characteristics. In order to overcome the weakness, regular concrete is therefore normally reinforced with steel bars. Researchers have attempted to enhance the tensile property by addition synthetic fibres, but as they are expensive, we are attempting to use alternative sources of natural fibres to incorporate tensile strength in conventional concrete. Agave Americana (Elephant Aloe Vera) and Coconut fibre was examined for its suitability for incorporation in cement concrete. The physical property of this fibre has shown no deterioration in the concrete medium. Fibres were brushed and lined up and cut to obtain 10 cm length for required aspect ratio. This Attempt was made to analyse the suitability of partial replacement of cement with infused with natural fibres of different percentage. Materials were mixed with agave fibres and coconut fibres of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% of volume of concrete for M20 mix grade and casted in cubes, cylinders and beams. The strength characteristics like compressive strength, Split Tensile Strength and Flexural Strengths were analysed

Physiochemical investigation of untreated and alkali treated agave plant fiber

Plant fiber-reinforced composites occupied an important role in the production of bio-degradable goods. Polymer composites with synthetic fiber as reinforcement produce adverse effects on the environment because of their higher decomposition rate. In most cases, natural fiber reinforced composites were used in the automotive industry to make body door parts, interior panels, bumpers, dashboard units, two-wheeler mudguards, doom parts, etc. During the reinforcement of fiber with matrix there are a lot of factors say moisture absorption, interfacial bonding, etc., involes in affecting the composite. So in order to reduce those risk factors, natural fiber has to be pre-treated before involving it in reinforcement. Chemical treatment was useful in the removal of impurities, wax, and other unwanted substances on the outer surface of the fiber. This paper deals with the novel study in identifying the optimum concentration of alkali solution for suitability in making the two-wheeler mudguard. Pre-treatment involves soaking of agave fiber at different concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution say 2, 4, 6, and 8%(w/v) for about 3 h. The impact on different concentrations of NaOH treatment was confirmed with the change in the diameter of the fiber using a digital microscope, chemical composition analysis was performed, a single fiber tensile test, and a scanning electron microscope was also conducted. From the test results, it was noted that sodium hydroxide treatment removes unwanted substances present on the fiber surface. Meanwhile, when the concentration of the sodium hydroxide was increased the fiber got damaged due to the abrasion of cellulosic constituents that reduces the property of fiber, making it unsuitable for reinforcement. At the end of this study, 4% of NaOH-treated fiber showed better results from all tests and that was used for making a mudguard.

Characterization and Comparative Insights on Agave Americana and Agave Sisalana Leaf Fibers for High-Performance Applications

ABSTRACT This work is focused on characterization and comparative study of agave americana and agave sisalana leaf fibers which can be used as potential alternative for synthetic fibers in engineering applications. Physico-chemical and mechanical properties of agave fibers were determined using different analytical procedures and instruments. According to the experimental data, the mean length and diameter of agave americana fibers were maximum of 1.76 m and 411 μm, respectively. Furthermore, the particular fibers possess larger amount of hemicellulose (17.4%) and moisture (~8%) which confirmed they are relatively hydrophilic in nature. Conversely, agave sisalana fibers possess larger amount of cellulose (66.4%) and ligni10.1080/10942912.2023.2246677n (~16%) compared to agave americana fibers. Meanwhile, SEM microstructure also proved surface of agave americana fibers was comparably rough, full of cracks and linings. EDAX analysis showed presence of significant amount of C and O, including trace amount of Ca, K, Si and S. Similarly, the semicrystalline agave americana fibers are longer and thicker possessing greater mean linear density (29.68 Tex). Agave sisalana fibers recorded maximum breaking tensile strength and elongation at break (512 MPa) and (~6%), respectively. These findings strongly suggested that agave fibers possess interesting features which can be used as potential reinforcement fibers for composite engineering.

Effect of treatment type of natural fibers on the rheological and micromechanical behavior of polyvinyl alcohol composites

AbstractThe viscoelastic and mechanical performance of sustainable raw materials on biodegradable matrices provide insights into how to develop and improve materials that contribute to the circular economy. Thus, we aim to evaluate the effect of conventional (acid or alkali) and dual (alkali/acid‐ultrasound) treatment on Agave fibers, as well as their rheological and micromechanical performance on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based composites. TGA results indicate that the treatments promote the removal of moisture, waxes, pectin, hemicellulose, and lignin from the fibers to different extents. PVA matrix containing modified fibers exhibits low viscosity, flux index, and critical shear values, indicating a high interaction and dispersion of the filler in the matrix. Furthermore, tensile tests and theoretical predictions of micromechanics‐based finite element analysis show evidence that the modified fiber type provides a different stress transfer ratio () than in the matrix, which changes Young's modulus values. The results indicate that Agave fibers modified by dual treatment are a useful filler to produce soft or stiff PVA composites when looking for potential applications in the mobility industry or other fields like the packaging.

Structural Performance and Eco-efficiency Assessment of Biofilms Obtained by a Green Single-Step Modification of Starch and Agave Fibers

Structural Performance and Eco-efficiency Assessment of Biofilms Obtained by a Green Single-Step Modification of Starch and Agave Fibers

Transcriptome Sequencing of Agave amaniensis Reveals Shoot-Related Expression Patterns of Expansin A Genes in Agave.

Agave species are widely planted for fiber production. However, the molecular basis of agave fiber development has not been well understood. In this study, we performed a transcriptomic analysis in A. amaniensi, a well-known variety with high-quality fiber production. Approximately 43.87 million clean reads were obtained using Illumina sequencing. The de novo assembly produced 66,746 unigrams, 54% of which were annotated in a public database. In the Nr database, 21,490 unigenes of A. amaniensis were shown to be most closely related to Asparagus officinalis. Nine expansin A orthologs with full coding regions were obtained, which were named EXP1a, EXP1b, EXP2, EXP3, EXP4a, EXP4b, EXP11, EXP12, and EXP13. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed the species-specific expansion of expansin genes in Arabidopsis, rice and agave. The expression analysis suggested the negative correlation between the expression of expansin genes and the leaf growth rate, except AhEXP11. Moreover, expansin genes were differentially affected by abiotic and biotic stresses. Notably, AhEXP2 expression level was highly upgraded after the infection of Phytophthora nicotiana. Nutrient deficiency also influent expansin genes expression. Together, our research will benefit future studies related to fiber development, disease resistance and nutrient usage in agave.