BIODEGRADATION BEHAVIOR OF COCONUT HUSK (COIR) FIBER

REINFORCED STARCH BIO-COMPOSITE

MOHD MADZUAN BIN ABDULLAH

KE06018

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of

the requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology)

Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

APRIL 2010
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ABSTRACT

In this work, a starch-based biopolymer was reinforced with coir fiber. The
purpose of this research was to investigate a production of bio-composite based on
different content percentage of coir fiber as a reinforcement material. Five
compositions of the bio-composites were formulated containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%
and 20% of coir fiber where 0% of fiber acts as the control sample. Coir fiber and
starch were a good material for bio-composite production because there were readily
biodegradable, renewable resource and low cost price. Characteristics of the bio-
composite were evaluated by tensile strength, microstructure, chemical, physical and
biodegradability properties. The evaluation of the mechanical properties gave a
significant increase of the strength of the bio-composite with the percentage of coir
fiber. The optimum value of mechanical strength was obtained at 15% fiber
reinforcement and it also proved from Scanning Electron Microscope analysis where
the structure of 15% fiber reinforcement showed a good interaction between coir
fiber and matrix phase and coir fiber was seen well embedded in the matrix.
Roughly, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results showed the O-H peak
become broader with the increment of the fiber reinforcement. The Differential
Scanning Calorimetry result showed that the melting temperature was increase as the
fiber composition in bio-composite was increased. In biodegradability test, it showed
that when the fiber content was increase, the Aspergillus Niger was more difficult to
growth and also difficult to degrade in soil. It was proven that the coir fiber
reinforcement can improve the bio-composite’s durability to degrade. Averagely, the
best performance of bio-composite was at 15% of coir fiber with respect to chemical
bonds, dispersion and agglomeration, heat resistance, biodegradability behavior, and
mechanical properties
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ABSTRAK

Dalam kajian ini, kanji berasaskan biopolimer diperkuatkan dengan sabut

kelapa. Penyelidikan ini mengkaji pembuatan bio-komposit berdasarkan peratusan
sabut kelapa sebagai penguat kanji berasaskan biopolimer. Lima komposisi bio-
komposit dihasilkan yang mengandungi 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% dan 20% kandungan
sabut kelapa yang mana 0% kandungan sabut kelapa adalah sampel kawalan. Sabut
kelapa dan kanji merupakan bahan asas yang baik untuk penghasilan bio-komposit
kerana mempunyai sifat biodegradasi, sumber yang banyak dan kos yang rendah.
Ciri-ciri bio-komposit ditentukan melalui kekuatan ketegangan, struktur mikro, sifat
fizikal, sifat kimia, dan sifat biodegradasinya. Bagi penilaian sifat mekanik, ia
menunjukkan kekuatan bio-komposit meningkat selari dengan peningkatan jumlah
sabut kelapa sebagai penguat bio-komposit. Kekuatan mekanikal tertinggi adalah
pada kandungan 15% sabut kelapa dan ia juga dibuktikan melalui analisis Scanning
Electron Microscope yang mana struktur bagi kandungan 15% sabut kelapa sebagai
penguat menunjukkan interaksi yang baik antara sabut kelapa dengan matrik dan
sabut kelapa juga tertanam dengan baik di dalam matrik. Secara kasarnya, data
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy menunjukkan peak OH menjadi lebih
memanjang seiring dengan kenaikan kandungan sabut kelapa sebagai penguat. Data
Differential Scanning Calorimetry pula menunjukkan bahawa suhu lebur meningkat
mengikut peningkatan kandungan sabut kelapa dalam bio-komposit. Dalam sifat
biodegradasi bio-komposit, menunjukkan peningkatan kandungan sabut kelapa
menjadikan pertumbuhan Aspergillus Niger lebih sukar dan ia juga susah untuk
terurai di dalam tanah. Ini membuktikan bahawa sabut kelapa dapat meningkatkan
sifat ketahanan bio-komposit daripada terurai. Rata-rata, prestasi terbaik bagi bio-
komposit adalah pada 15% kandungan sabut kelapa berdasarkan ikatan kimia,
taburan dan pengelompokan , daya tahan haba, sifat biodegradasi, dan sifat mekanik.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF FIGURES xii
LIST OF SYMBOL xiv
LIST OF APPENDICES xv

1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of Study 1
1.2 Problem Statement 3
1.3 Research Objective 3
1.4 Scope of Research Work 4

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1 Polymers 5
2.1.1 Introduction 5
2.1.2 Types of Polymers 6
2.1.2.1 Synthetic polymers 6
2.1.2.2 Natural polymers 7
2.1.2.3 Biopolymer 7
 viii

2.1.3 Characteristics of Polymers 8

2.2 Starch 9
2.2.1 Introduction 9
2.2.2 Composition and structure 10
2.3 Fiber 12
2.3.1 Overview 12
2.3.2 Natural fibers as Reinforcements in
Bio-composite 14
2.3.2.1 Natural fiber classification 14
2.3.2.2 Coconut Husk / Coir Fiber 14
2.3.3 Fiber Treatment and Modification 15
2.4 Characterization 16
2.4.1 Scanning Electron Microscopy 16
2.4.2 Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy 17
2.4.3 Tensile Strength 18
2.4.4 Differential Scanning Calorimetry 19

3 METHODOLOGY 20
3.0 Introduction 20
3.1 Raw Material 20
3.2 Experimental Procedures 21
3.3 Scanning Electron Microscopy 23
3.4 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy 23
3.5 Tensile Test 23
3.6 Differential Scanning Calorimetry 24
3.7 Biodegradability Test 24
3.7.1 Microbial Degradation 24
3.7.2 Soil Burial Degradation Test 25
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4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION 26

4.0 Introduction 26
4.1 Scanning Electron Microscopy 26
4.2 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy 29
4.3 Tensile Test 30
4.4 Differential Scanning Calorimetry 35
4.5 Biodegradability Test 40
4.5.1 Microbial Degradation 40
4.5.2 Soil Burial Degradation Test 42

5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 44

5.1 Conclusion 44
5.2 Recommendation 45

LIST OF REFERENCE 46

APPENDIX 49
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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO TITLE PAGE

4.1 The melting temperature and melting enthalpy for each 37

sample
4.2 Rating of A.Niger growth colony for each bio-composite 40
specimen.
C.1 The weight loss percentage of each sample 58
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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO TITLE PAGE

2.1 Classification of biopolymers and their nomenclature 8

2.2 Amylose molecule 11
2.3 Amylopectin molecule 11
2.4 Schematic view of the structure of a starch granule, with 12
alternating amorphous and semi-crystalline zones
constituting the growth rings
2.5 Characteristic of a composite laminate 13
2.6 Type of fiber 13
3.1 Process flow of bio-composites production 22
3.2 Equation of percentage weight loss 25
4.1 Micrograph of control sample (0% fiber reinforcement) 27
4.2 Micrograph of 5% fiber reinforcement 28
4.3 Micrograph of 10% fiber reinforcement 28
4.4 Micrograph of 20% fiber reinforcement 29
4.5 FTIR spectra for each sample of bio-composite 30
4.6 Stress-strain diagram of control sample 32
4.7 Stress-strain diagram of 5% fiber reinforcement 32
4.8 Stress-strain diagram of 10% fiber reinforcement 33
4.9 Stress-strain diagram of 15% fiber reinforcement 33
4.10 Stress-strain diagram of 20% fiber reinforcement 34
4.11 Graph Max. Force versus Fiber Reinforcement 34
4.12 Graph Tensile Strength versus Fiber Reinforcement 35
4.13 Heat flow-temperature diagram of control sample 37
4.14 Heat flow-temperature diagram of 5% fiber
reinforcement 38
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4.15 Heat flow-temperature diagram of 10% fiber

reinforcement 38
4.16 Heat flow-temperature diagram of 15% fiber
reinforcement 39
4.17 Heat flow-temperature diagram of 20% fiber
reinforcement 39
4.18 The A.Niger growth colony in the agar plate (a) 0% of
fiber (b) 5% of fiber (c) 10% of fiber (d) 15% of fiber
(e) 20% of fiber 41
4.19 Graph Weight Loss versus Fiber Reinforcement 43
A.1 Raw Material 49
A.2 Starch, glycerol and water were mixed and stirred 49
A.3 The fiber immersed into the solution 50
A.4 Bio-composite sample in casting method 50
B.1 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 51
B.2 Universal Testing Machine 51
B.3 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) 52
B.4 Microbial Degradation Technique 52
B.5 Soil Burial Degradation Test 52
C.1 Tensile test data for control sample 53
C.2 Tensile test data for 5% fiber reinforcement 54
C.3 Tensile test data for 10% fiber reinforcement 55
C.4 Tensile test data for 15% fiber reinforcement 56
C.5 Tensile test data for 20% fiber reinforcement 57
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LIST OF SYMBOLS

SEM - Scanning Electron Microscope

FTIR - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
DSC - Differential Scanning Calorimetry
SDA - Sabaraud Dextrose Agar
UTS Ultimate tensile strength
MW - Molecular weight
ΔHc Crystallization enthalpy
ΔHm Melting enthalpy
Tg Glass transition temperature
Tc Crystallization temperature
Tm Melting temperature
cm - Centimeter
mm - Millimeter
N - Newton
°C - Degree Celsius
mg - Milligram
L - Liter
ml - Milliliters
h - Hours
min - Minutes
NaOH - Sodium hydroxide
H - Hydrogen
C - Carbon
O - Oxygen
% - Percentage
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LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

A Methodology Technique 49
B Analysis Equipment 51
C Result 53
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

In today’s world, polymers also known as plastics where it plays a significant

role in our daily life. Plastics have become one of the most widely used materials all
over the world. Plastic materials have gained widespread use in the food, clothing,
medical, shelter, transportation, construction and leisure industries due to its features of
strength, lightweight, easily process able and energy efficient. Plastics clearly have
become indispensable and important part to our life. Petrochemical based plastics such
as polyolefin, polyesters and polyamides have been increasingly used as packaging
materials because of their availability in large quantities at low cost and favorable
functionality characteristics such as good tensile and tear strength, good barrier
properties to oxygen and aroma compounds and heat seal ability (Tharanathan, 2003).
However, these plastics that are made of petroleum-based materials are non-
biodegradable. Non-biodegradable is a word used to identify a product which is unable
to break down into the nature. These synthetic plastics such as polyethylene and
polypropylene are not degraded by microorganisms in the environment, which
contributes to their long lifetime. This situation will cause pollution to the environment.
Now, the world is concern about the non-biodegradable waste that becomes one of the
factors of pollution.
 2

Therefore, we have to find an alternative such as bio-composite that is more

environmental friendly. Bio-composite is a material formed by a combination of natural
fibers such as wood fibers (hardwood, wood dust and softwood) or non-wood fibers
(e.g., wheat, husk, jute, sisal, coir and flax) with polymer matrices from both of the
renewable and nonrenewable resources. Nowadays, starch is a material that has a
potential use to produce bio-composite because of its lower cost, environmental friendly
and natural abundance. Starch is the major carbohydrate in plant tubes and seed
endosperm, where it is found as granules. The source of starch is corn, wheat, potato
and rice. Starch is one of the least expensive biodegradable materials used for many
non-food items such as paper making, cardboard, furniture and adhesives. More
recently, starch has been used as the main polymer in thermoplastic compositions and
has been processed into eating utensils and as raw material for film production.
Converted to thermoplastic material, starch offers an interesting alternative for synthetic
polymers where long-term durability is not needed and rapid degradation is an
advantage (Flieger et al., 2003).

Currently, many efforts have been made to identify the suitability of natural
fibers as a reinforcing component for thermoplastic materials. They come out with
further research in waste management and therefore will produce highly functional
composite materials if used in combination with biodegradable polymers. Hence, a
natural fiber likes jute, rice straw, sisal, flax, coconut husk, sugar cane husk, and oil
palm husk are expected to act as reinforcing components in composite materials.

This research aim at developing a new formulation of bio-composite based on

coconut husk (coir) fiber as a reinforcement of starch-based biopolymer. The quality at
fiber–matrix interface and the intrinsic mechanical properties of coconut husk (coir)
were measured. Besides, the aspect ratio of the reinforcement inside the polymer and
the compatibility factor at fiber–matrix interface are determined by control of mixtures
between fiber and starch.
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1.2 Problem Statement

Nowadays, plastics clearly have become indispensable due to its wide array of
applications particularly as packaging materials. Every day, a demand of plastic usage is
always increase. However, almost plastics that we use now are made of petroleum-
based materials and these plastics are not readily biodegradable. It’s not environmental
friendly and this situation will cause pollution to the environment. The bulk of plastics
waste can spoil our ecological system. Other than that, the waste from coconut fruit
(husk) can be recycled to produce something in the engineering field (composite).
Hence, a possible solution to solve this problem is the prospect of biodegradable
polymers like bio-composite. Thus, by applying waste material (coir), a least expensive
and more environmental friendly composite can be produced. Bio-composite have many
advantages to our life. Firstly, they are made from renewable resources. Renewable
resources have gained much attention in the last decades due to the global increasing
demand for alternatives to fossil resources. Secondly, they are biodegradable and able to
break down into the nature after they become as wastes. Thus, we will reduce the
amount of pollution caused by non-biodegradable polymers to the environment and we
are also maximizing the use of renewable sources.

1.3 Research Objective

The main objectives of this study are:

1. To determine the effect of ratio between starch and coconut husk (coir)
composition on the bio-composite strength.
2. To characterize the behavior of bio-composite in term of microstructure,
chemical and physical analysis.
3. To analyze the biodegradation rate of bio-composite by microbial degradation
using Aspergillus Niger and soil burial degradation test.
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1.4 Scope of Research Work

The scopes of this research are as follow:

1. Production of bio-composite and tensile strength of bio-composite studies based

on the effect of ratio between starch and coir fiber composition.
2. The characterization of the bio-composite using various analysis methods:
a. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
b. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
c. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
d. Universal Testing Machine
3. The biodegradability test of bio-composite by microbial degradation using
Aspergillus Niger and soil burial degradation test.
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Polymers

2.1.1 Introduction

Polymer is a long chain giant organic molecule that was made of repetitive units
from many smaller molecules called monomers. Polymers consist of many repeating
monomer units in long chains. A polymer was analogous to a necklace made from many
small beads of monomers (Charles, 2003). Polymers were substances whose molecules
have high molar mass. There were many types of polymers including synthetic and
natural polymers. Synthetic polymer have been commercializes and produced in very
large scale. The materials commonly called plastics. Plastics play a significant role in
our daily lives. Their applications were nearly universal such as components in
automobiles, home appliances, computer equipments, packages and even medical
applications were areas where plastics clearly have become indispensable. Among of
natural polymers were proteins, starch, cellulose, and latex. Besides, natural polymers
include such things as tar and shellac, tortoise shell and horns, as well as tree saps that
produce amber and latex. These polymers were processed with heat and pressure into
useful articles like hair ornaments and jewelry. Natural polymers began to be
chemically modified during the 1800s to produce many materials. The most famous of
these were vulcanized rubber, gun cotton, and celluloid. The first semi-synthetic
polymer produced was Bakelite in 1909 and was soon followed by the first synthetic
 6

fiber, rayon, which was developed in 1911 (American Chemistry Council , 2007 ).
Polymers affect every day of our life. These materials have so many varied
characteristics and applications that their usefulness can only be measured by our
imagination. Polymer was the materials of past, present, and future generations.

2.1.2 Types of Polymers

Popular usage of polymer was plastic that actually refers to a large class of
natural and synthetic materials with a variety of properties. The word “polymer” was
derived from the Greek poly and meros, meaning many and parts, respectively. Some
scientists prefer to use the word “macromolecule” or large molecule, instead of
polymer. Others maintain that naturally occurring polymers, or biopolymers, and
synthetic polymers should be studied in different courses. Others name these large
molecules simply “giant molecules”. However, the same principles apply to all
polymers.

2.1.2.1 Synthetic Polymers

Another common name for many synthetic polymers was plastic which comes
from the Greek word "plastikos", suitable for molding or shaping. The synthetic
polymers include synthetic rubber, Bakelite, neoprene, nylon, PVC, polystyrene,
polyethylene, polypropylene, PVB, silicone, and many more (Charles, 2003). Plastics
have become one of the most widely used materials all over the world. Many materials
in our daily use from packing, wrapping, and building materials include half of all
polymers synthesized. Other uses include automotive, sport equipments, textiles, and
infrastructure are made from polymers.
 7

2.1.2.2 Natural Polymers

Natural polymer was a polymer resulting from raw materials found in nature
such as shellac, amber, and natural rubber. A variety of other natural polymers exist,
such as cellulose, which is the main constituent of wood and paper. Other Natural
polymer was rubber (hydrocarbon base) and silicones (alternating silicon and oxygen)
(Charles, 2003).

2.1.2.3 Biopolymers

Biopolymers were produced by living organisms. Biopolymers such as proteins

and nucleic acids play crucial roles in biological processes. Cellulose was the most
common biopolymer and about 33 percent of all plant matter was cellulose (the
cellulose content of cotton is 90 percent and that of wood is 50 percent) (D. Lukkassen
and A. Meidell, 2007). As illustrated in Figure 2.1 was the classification of biopolymers
and their nomenclature.
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Figure 2.1 - Classification of biopolymers and their nomenclature (Kestur et al., 2008)

2.1.3 Characteristic of Polymers

Polymers were divided into two broad categories: thermoplastics and

thermosets. The majority of polymers were thermoplastic, meaning that once the
polymer was formed it can be heated and reformed over and over again. This property
allows for easy processing and recycling. In a thermosets polymer, it cannot be remelted
by the application of heat. Once these polymers are formed, reheating will cause the
 9

material to scorch. Every polymer has very distinct characteristics, but most polymers
have the following general attributes (American Chemistry Council , 2007 ).

 Polymers can be very resistant to chemicals.

 Polymers can be both thermal and electrical insulators.
 Generally, polymers were very light in mass with varying degrees of strength.
 Polymers can be processed in various ways to produce thin fibers or very
intricate parts.

2.2 Starch

2.2.1 Introduction

Starch was the cheapest and most abundant food biopolymer worldwide. Pure
starch was a white, tasteless and odorless powder. It occurs in a variety of botanical
sources including corn, potato, wheat and rice. It has many applications ranging from
cereals, snacks and thickeners in the food industry. Other applications include
packaging, paper and adhesives in the non-food industry. Among these, starch was a
potentially useful material for biodegradable polymers because it was natural abundance
and low cost. Starch was the major carbohydrate in plant tubes and seed endosperm,
where it was found as granules. Each granule contains amylopectin molecules together
with a larger number of smaller amylose molecules (N. Canigueral et al., 2009).

For certain applications in the food and packaging industries, starch was
extruded to achieve a desired product texture and quality. Some work has already been
carried out and published on extrusion and extrusion expansion in general. However,
there were many more challenges in the study of starch processing such as the
compositional, structural and rheological complexities of starch systems, as well as
inhomogenieties encountered during processing. An understanding of the mechanisms
 10

involved in the processing and expansion of starch is therefore required. Such insight
would help optimize existing extrusion processes through better equipment design and
applications, and develop new products with desired characteristics that would benefit
both the consumers and the industry (Nowjee, 2004).

2.2.2 Composition and Structure

Starch was produced as granules in most plants cells and was referred to as
native when in this particular granular state. Native starches from different botanical
sources vary widely in structure and composition, but all granules consist of two major
molecular components, amylose (20-30%) and amylopectin (70-80%), both of which
were polymers of α-D-glucose units in the 4C1 conformation. In amylose (Figure 2.2),
these were linked -(1 → 4)-, with the ring oxygen atoms all on the same side, whereas
in amylopectin about one residue in every twenty is also linked -(1 → 6)- forming
branch-points as shown in Figure 2.3. (Nowjee, 2004).

Several investigations have been carried out to establish the level of

organization within the starch granules. Techniques used vary from X-ray diffraction
experiments to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy
(TEM). In the native form of starch, amylose and amylopectin molecules were
organized in granules as alternating semi-crystalline and amorphous layers that form
growth rings as illustrated in Figure 2.4. The semi-crystalline layer consists of ordered
regions composed of double helices formed by short amylopectin branches, most of
which were further ordered into crystalline structures known as the crystalline lamellae.
The amorphous regions of the semi-crystalline layers and the amorphous layers were
composed of amylose and non-ordered amylopectin branches (Nowjee, 2004).
 11

Figure 2.2 - Amylose molecule (Nowjee, 2004).

Figure 2.3 - Amylopectin molecule (Nowjee, 2004).

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Figure 2.4: Schematic view of the structure of a starch granule, with alternating
amorphous and semi-crystalline zones constituting the growth rings
(Nowjee, 2004).

2.3 Fiber

2.3.1 Overview

Fibers were the principal constituents in a fiber-reinforced composite material.

Fibers were the reinforcement and the main source of strength while the matrix glues all
the fibers together in shape and transfers stresses between the reinforcing fibers. Fiber
was a class of materials that were continuous filaments or were in discrete elongated
pieces, similar to lengths of thread. They occupy the largest volume fraction in a
composite laminate and share the major portion of the load acting on a composite
structure. Proper selection of the fiber type, fiber volume fraction, fiber length, and fiber
orientation was very important, since it influences the following characteristic of a
composite laminate (Mallick, 2008). Figure 2.5 show the characteristic of a composite
laminate. As illustrated in Figure 2.6 was the types of common fiber used in industry.
 13

Density

Tensile strength and modulus

Characteristic Compressive strength and modulus

of a composite
laminate Fatigue strength as well as fatigue failure
mechanisms
Electrical and thermal conductivities

Cost

Figure 2.5: Characteristic of a composite laminate (Mallick, 2008)

Type of fibers

Glass Fibers Carbon Fibers Aramid Fibers Natural Fibers

Figure 2.5 - Type of fibers (Mallick, 2008).

Boron Extended Chain Ceramic
Fibers Polyethylene Fibers
Fibers

Figure 2.6: Type of fiber (Goulart et al., 2000)

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2.3.2 Natural fibers as Reinforcements in Bio-composite

2.3.2.1 Natural fiber classification

Natural fibers were subdivided based on their origins, whether they were derived
from plants (Cellulose or Lignocelluloses), animals (Protein), or minerals. Natural
fibers can be classified according to their origin. Plants fibers include bast (or stem or
soft or sclerenchyma) fibers, leaf or hard fibers, seed, fruit, wood, cereal straw, and
other grass fibers. Animal fibers include silk, wood and hair. While mineral fiber was
include asbestos, fibrous brucite, and wollastonite (K. Mohanty et al., 2005).

2.3.2.2 Coconut Husk or Coir

Coir fiber was obtained from the fibrous husk of the coconut from the coconut
palm, which belongs to the palm family (Palmae). Coir fibers were obtained from the
fibrous husk (mesocarp) encasing the fruit of the coconut palm, which was a by-product
of the copra extraction process. The term coir was derived from kayar, a rope or cord,
and kayaru, meaning to be twisted. Coconut palms were cultivated throughout tropical
countries mostly for the high oil content of the endosperm (copra). The oil was widely
used in both the food and nonfood industries (e.g. surfactant production). On average,
from 100 coconuts 7.5 to 8.2 kg of coir fibers can be obtained (K. Mohanty et al.,
2005).

Coir fibers have high lignin but low cellulose content, as a result of which the
fibers were resilient, strong, and highly durable. Coir was the one of the toughest plant
fibers available. It does not pill and highly abrasion and rot (fungal and bacteria)
resistant (Goulart et al., 2000). Furthermore, coir was naturally insulating and sound
absorbing, antistatic, and difficult to ignite. Due to the ability of coir fibers to tolerate
water immersion for months without disintegrating, they find many applications as
 15

horticulture and erosion control product (geotextiles). Recently, the academic and
industrial R&D communities have begun seeking ways to develop new application for
coir as reinforcement for polymers (K. Mohanty et al., 2005).

2.3.3 Fiber Treatment and Modification

It was well known that the performance of composites depends on the properties
of the individual components and their interfacial compatibility. For numerous
applications plant fibers have to be prepared or modified with the following
considerations in mind; homogenization of the properties of the fibers, degree of
elementarization and degumming, degree of polymerization and crystallization, good
adhesion between fiber and matrix, moisture repellence, and flame-retardant properties
(George et al., 2001).

These properties can be partly influenced by different fiber separation

procedures but subsequent fiber treatment processes were more influential. Several
noncellulose components have to be removed to assure the compatibility of the plant
fibers to the surrounding polymer matrix. Alkalization, washing, or boiling of the plant
fibers in 2 to 10% sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide solutions leads to the
removal of unwanted fiber components, which dissolve during the process.
Alkalization, depending on the concentration of the alkali and the process temperature,
can significantly improve the fiber’s mechanical and surface properties (K. Mohanty et
al., 2005).