Microstructural Characterization of Natural Fibers: Etlingera elatior, Costus comosus, and Heliconia bihai. (24th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Navarro, Cláudia I. T.; Paciornik, Sidnei; d'Almeida, José R. M.
• Other Names: Fangueiro Raul Academic Editor.; Hong Hu Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Conference papers in energy. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-10-24
• Subjects: Power resources -- Periodicals; Power resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/878014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-582X

Abstract

Abstract : This work describes the structural and morphological characteristics of fibers obtained from the stem of three ornamental plants, namely, Etlingera elatior, Costus comosus, and Heliconia bihai . The stems of these plants are long and nowadays do not have any use, being disregarded. The results obtained showed that the three fibers have a crystalline index of around 58% and are thermally stable to approximately 230°C, 240°C, and 255°C for E. elatior, C. comosus, and H. bihai, respectively. The fibers present an average humidity amount of less than 9% and the thermal degradation peak for the cellulose component varies from 358°C for E. elatior to 379°C for C. comosus . The morphological analysis showed that the fibers present a large variability of the shape of their cross-sections, which are preferentially elongated. These morphological characteristics were used to estimate the error made when one considers the fibers having a circular cross-section.