11 research outputs found
Manufacturing and mechanical characterization of coir fibre composites based on vinyl ester
Characterization of physical, mechanical and chemical properties of quiscal fibres: the influence of atmospheric DBD plasma treatment
This paper reports the first attempt of characterizing various physical,
mechanical and chemical properties of Quiscal fibres, used by the native
communities in Chile and investigating the influence of atmospheric dielectric
barrier discharge plasma treatment on various properties such as diameter and
linear density, fat, wax and impurity%, moisture regain, chemical elements
and groups, thermal degradation, surface morphology, etc. According to the
experimental observations, Quiscal fibre has lower tenacity than most of the
technical grade natural fibres such as sisal, hemp, flax, etc., and plasma
treatment at optimum dose improved its tenacity to the level of sisal fibres.
Plasma treatment also reduced the amount of fat, wax and other foreign
impurities present in Quiscal fibres as well as removed lignin and
hemicellulose partially from the fibre structure. Plasma treatment led to
functionalization of Quiscal fibre surface with chemical groups, as revealed
from attenuated total reflection spectroscopy and also confirmed from the
elemental analysis using energy dispersive Xray
technique and pH and conductivity measurements of fibre aqueous extract. The wetting behavior of
Quiscal fibre also improved considerably through plasma treatment. However,
untreated and plasma treated Quiscal fibres showed similar thermal
degradation behavior, except the final degradation stage, in which plasma
treated fibres showed higher stability and incomplete degradation unlike the
untreated fibres. The experimental results suggested that the plasma treated
Quiscal fibres, like other technical grade natural fibres, can find potential
application as reinforcement of composite materials for various industrial
applications.This work is supported by Portuguese National Funding, through FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia ea Tecnologia, on the framework of project UID/CTM/00264/2013
Use and cultural significance of Raphia palms
The genus Raphia (Palmae / Arecaceae) contains 22 species and represents a major multiuse resource across tropical Africa and Madagascar. Raphia species provide goods that range from food to construction material and medicine. Its species play a vital cultural role in African societies. Despite its importance, the taxonomy, ecology, and ethnobotany of this genus remain poorly understood. Here, we review the multiplicity of uses, products and cultural importance of Raphia species across its distribution. We provide a near exhaustive list of all products derived from Raphia species, classified by species and major use categories. We record nearly 100 different uses, traded and commercialized at local, regional, and national levels. Most species have several uses. Raphia wine is the most important product, followed by grubs and fiber extraction. Our review improves our understanding of the uses and cultural importance of Raphia species. If Raphia resources are managed responsibly, they will contribute to alleviate poverty, fight against hunger and conserve tropical biodiversity, especially in Africa