A STUDY OF PROPERTIES OF FIBERS EXTRACTED FROM KARKADE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L.) AGRICULTURAL WASTE AS POTAINTIAL REINFORCING MATERIAL

The use of agricultural waste in fiber production is increasing these days, due to its multiple benefits and ease of production. One of these agricultural wastes is the karkade plant stem. Sudan is considered as the country of origin of karkade plant, cultivated in a large area in north and west of Sudan to take its fruits and use in food and drinks and in some medical fields. After fruit picking, there is no use of the stem. This paper presents a research conducted to study the properties of karkade fiber as potential reinforcing material. For the purpose of the study, karkade fiber is extracted from karkade stem using water retting process with different duration times (15 to 30) days. Samples are prepared to be analyzed for chemical, physical, morphological and thermal properties. From obtained results it is found that karkade has good cellulose percent, acceptable moisture content and water absorption and density comparable with other natural fibers. Also, morphological analysis showed that it has a rough surface that supports bonding between fiber and matrix. From the above observation it can be concluded that karkade fiber properties make it promising for use as reinforcement in composite material.