Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Concentration on the Surface and Mechanical Properties of Borassus Aethiopum Mart Fibre

The main objective of this study is to valorize the availability of the local material (borassus aethiopum mart fibers) of the West African sub region (Benin). This present study is focused on the determination of the mechanical properties of treated Borassus aethiopum mart fibres like tensile, elongation at break and the modulus of elasticity and the characterization of the treatment effects on Borassus aethiopum mart fibre surface by means of Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Borassus aethiopum mart fibres undergone an alkaline treatment at different concentrations of NaOH (3 %, 5 % and 10 %) during different immersion periods of (1h and 3h). The results showed significant improvements in the tensile strength of the fibres treated with 3 % NaOH for 1hour and 3hours of the order of 288.72 and 233.54 respectively and 5 % NaOH for 1hour and 3hours of the order of 252.5 N/mm^2 and 216.14 N/mm^2 NaOH compared to untreated fibres 210.45 N/mm^2. However, the tensile strength of fibers treated with 10 % NaOH for 1 hour, decreased considerably to 73.36 N/mm^2. This decrease in mechanical resistance is due to the high concentration of NaOH that weakened the fibres.