Physicochemical properties of new cellulosic fiber extracted from Carica papaya bark

This article presents the characteristics of Carica papaya fibers (CPFs) extracted from the bark of the perennial papaya plant. Detailed chemical compositions of CPFs such as cellulose, lignin, ash, moisture, and wax contents were established and determined by using standard methods. Further, chemical groups, crystalline structure, surface roughness, and thermal stability of CPFs were examined using Fourier transform infrared analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The physico-chemical properties of CPFs, crystallinity index (56.34%), cellulose content (38.71 wt. %), hemicellulose (11.8%), and density (943 kg/m3) were compared to those properties of other natural fibers. The results suggest that the biodegradable CPFs can be used as a potential reinforcemnet in the polymer matrix composite structure

Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Treated Carica Papaya Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

This investigation aimed at finding the effect of weight fraction (10 wt.%, 20 wt.% and 30 wt.%) and fiber orientation (0°, 45° and 90°) on mechanical properties (Tensile, Flexural and Impact) of Carica papaya fiber/epoxy (CPFE) composite. Totally nine composite samples were fabricated by hand layup followed by compression molding method. Testing results revealed that composites containing 20 wt.% and 0° fiber orientation exhibited better mechanical properties such as tensile strength (122 MPa), flexural strength (118.9 MPa) and impact strength (7.8 J) when compared to composite samples with other weight fraction and orientation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used to analyze the fractured surfaces of the composite specimens. The thermal stability of CPFE composites was evaluated by the Thermo Gravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermo Gravimetric (DTG) curves. All the findings led to the conclusion that the CPFE composites are suitable material to make the light weight industrial applications