PIChE Journal

T. P. Tumolva, et al. (2014)

Vol. 15 No. 2

Characterization of talahib (Saccharum

spontaneum) in natural fiber reinforced polymer
(NFRP) using xylanase as coupling agent
T. P. Tumolva1*, J. P. M. L. Alonzo1, K. M. Guerrero1 and D. C. B. Pua1
1

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

1101 Philippines
*E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
The purpose of the study is to research and produce a locally available natural fiber
reinforced polymer or NFRP with the use of Saccharum spontaneum and xylanase as
coupling agent. Characterization of its fibers by determining its length, diameter, and
surface morphology are done using Scanning Electron Microscope or SEM. The
physical properties of the NFRP are evaluated by the Universal Testing Machine with
tensile tests. It is found out that the increase in fiber loading and the addition of 100%
concentration of xylanase causes a substantial increase in the maximum average stress
and the Youngs Modulus of the NFRP. However, 50% and 75% concentration of
xylanse in the NFRP decreases the maximum average stress and the Youngs Modulus
of the NFRP. The outcome of the testing shows that the Youngs Modulus of the NFRP
is higher than the neat sample, while the tensile strength of the NFRP is comparable to
the neat sample.
Keywords
NFRP, talahib, natural fiber, xylanase, polymer composite

INTRODUCTION
Natural fiber reinforced polymers (NFRPs) are materials that contain natural fibers utilized
as reinforcement to polymer resins and blends. Natural fibers have the advantages of being
low density, low cost and biodegradable. NFRPs are commonly used in the automotive,
marine and construction industries. Its usage ranges from aircraft, boats, ships and offshore
platforms to automobiles, sports goods, chemical processing equipment and low- to
medium-strength civil infrastructure [1].
Because of its wide range of uses, there is an increasing demand for NFRPs, as shown in
Figure 1. In 2005, the global market for natural fiber composites reached $2.1B. From that
year, there was a growth rate of 15% in 2010. The largest market segments for these are
the automotive and construction industries. North America is largest for building and
construction applications while Europe is leading its automotive utilization. Asia is also
seen to have a significant potential for growth of these market since the usage of these
materials is essentially lower as compared with the other two. It is forecast that in 2016,
that the market for these composites will reach $3.8B. Factors that contribute to the growth
of their market include the rising prices of petroleum-based products, government support
for eco-friendly materials, increased efforts for the reduction of global warming, increased
awareness and acceptability towards green products, need for light-weighted cost effective

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materials and the interest for green electronics in Asia [2].

Natural Fiber Composites Trends and Forcast ($M)

4,000

3,805

3,000
2,171
2,000
1,000

1,086

0
2005

2010

2016

Figure 1. Trends and forecast market for wood and non-wood natural fiber composites [2].

In the Philippines, natural fibers include abaca, kapok, kenaf, maguey, pineapple, salago,
and buri/buntal/raffia. As of 2011, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority
(FIDA) has monitored more than 178,000 hectares of land planted with fibers. Occupying
most is the abaca.

Table 1. Hectares of land occupied per crop according to FIDA as of 2011.

Fiber
Buri/Buntal/Raffia
Maguey

Hectares of Land
2,035.60
486.35

Pineapple

2,655.95

Abaca

172,528

Salago

751.10

Total

178,457.00

The increasing demand for NFRPs guarantees that products made of these composites will
dominate the market in the future. In addition, investors eye Asia and the Pacific Region as
a potential market for these materials. Hence, the Philippines, being a developing and
agricultural country, will definitely participate in marketing these materials as the country
boasts abaca and other known agro-fibers as part of its commodity goods for export. Also,
the promotion to use NFRPs may help alleviate the countrys growing problem regarding
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solid waste management and disposal, since a significant amount of the solid plastic wastes
only end up in landfills and dumpsites, where they will accumulate over time as a result of
their inherent non-biodegradability.
Consequently, this increase in NFRP demand will result to the need for additional areas for
plantation of agro-fibers, which will compete for land usage against food crops and housing
development. Thus, it is necessary to utilize other sources of natural fibers that are locally
and perennially available.
This paper focuses on the development of NFRP using Saccharum spontaneum as
reinforcement. Saccharum spontaneum, locally known as talahib, is a locally abundant
wild species of grass that grows in a variety of habitats at different altitudes in the tropics
through the temperate regions. Its strong disease resistance and high stress tolerance makes
it highly adaptable and prolific even with disturbance prone and changeable habitats,
thereby ensuring perennial availability of fiber supply across the country.
The potential for talahib to be utilized as a source of continuous fiber reinforcement is
primarily attributed to its cellulose content [5], which is comparable to those of other
sources of plant fibers (see Table 2):

Table 2. List of different fibers and their respective cellulose contents.

Fiber
S. spontaneum
Bagasse
Bamboo
Kenaf bast
Jute bast
Abaca leaf
Sisal leaf

Cellulose %
43.78
32-48
26-43
44-57
45-63
56-63
47-62

Source: Georgia Tech Institute of Paper Science and Technology

However, only a very few studies have been conducted regarding the use of talahib fibers
as fiber reinforcement: a recent study conducted utilized Saccharum spontaneum as
reinforcement for a starch-based composite with resorcinol formaldehyde as the binding
agent. Other binding agents that were tried are like methylmethacrylates (MMA) as
principal monomer and its binary mixture with acrylamide (AAm), acrylonitrile (AN),
acrylic acid (AA) prepared under microwave. In this study, the talahib fibers are treated
with xylanase instead of other more conventional chemical treatments. Xylanase is a class
of enzymes responsible for the degradation of xylan into xylose [6]. Like any enzyme,
xylanase is amphiprotic, making it an environment-friendly coupling agent for the
hydrophilic fibers and the hydrophobic resin matrix of any given NFRP. However, the
extent of its effectiveness to improve fiber-matrix adhesion is yet to be fully established.
The study presented in this paper aims to characterize the talahib fibers by determining its
length, diameter, and surface morphology prior to the fabrication of an NFRP. The study
also aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of the NFRP through tensile tests and to
study the effect of the xylanase on composite stiffness and stress. The mechanism study for
the coupling agent is limited only to its morphological effects; no biological studies will be
conducted, and the range of the xylanase treatment will be limited.
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METHODOLOGY
Materials
Saccharum spontaneum fiber mats were prepared from stalks (shown in Figure 2) harvested
in Quezon City, Philippines using the pulping method. The orthophthalic unsaturated
polyester resin matrix (R10-103) was purchased from Polymer Products Philippines, Inc.,
while the coupling agent, xylanase, was purchased from the National Institute of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology in the University of the Philippines Los Baos.

1 inch

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. (a) Saccharum spontaneum stalks cut into 2 inch lengths and (b) fiber mat.

Figure 3. Saccharum spontaneum fiber mats, cut into test specimen.

Fiber mat preparation

Talahib stalks were collected and cut into 1-2 inch pieces and then immersed into aqueous
NaOH solution (5%) overnight. Afterwards, they were cooked for 5 hours and washed three
times with distilled water to neutralize. A screen is then used to sweep a mat of pulp out of
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the water. The paper side of the screen will be dried against a dry absorbent and then air
dried for one week. The dried fiber mats were then cut into 12 mm 160 mm sized samples
(as seen in Figure 3).
Enzyme treatment
There were three enzyme concentration used in the study: 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight
xylanase in water. One milliliter of the xylanase obtained corresponds to 7,000 enzyme
units. In this study, the Saccharum spontaneum fiber mats were applied with the varying
concentrations of the coupling agent for 8 hours.

Table 3. Enzyme units in different concentrations of xylanase treatments.

Concentration Amount of xylanase

Enzyme units (U)

100%

1.00 ml

7000

75%

0.75 ml

5250

50%

0.50 ml

3500

Fabrication of NFRP
Flat bars designed to follow ASTM D638 were used as a mold to fabricate the Saccharum
spontaneum fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composite samples. Durawax was
applied on the mold as a release agent prior to NFRP lamination.
The fiber mats were laminated into the polyester by hand layup technique. The matrix was
prepared by adding hardener to the resin at 2.75% by weight, and then pouring the mixture
by portions unto the fiber mats that had been initially soaked with the resin and then placed
and arranged onto the mold. The samples are then cured using a thermal press for 6-7 hours.
Analytical and testing methods
The Saccharum spontaneum fibers and the resulting NFRP composites were subjected to
the following analysis for characterization and property measurements:
1. The fiber were sent to FIDA to be analyzed for its morphology (fiber cell length and
fiber cell diameter), physical properties (tensile strength and elongation), and chemical
composition (lignin, ash, holocellulose, hemicellulose, and -cellulose).
2. The fibers were also analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with
voltage equal to 1-2 kV; current 26-51 A at 50-750 magnification. SEM is also used
to study the fracture surface of the NFRP after each mechanical testing.
3. Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is used for characterization of the tensile properties
of the NFRP test specimens.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The experiment was based on a 23 factorial design (3 levels, 2 factors). A total of 9 runs
was applied, with 5 replicates per run (see Table 4).
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Table 4. Three levels, 2 factor design of experiment showing fiber loading, and xylanase
concentration levels.
Levels

Factors
Fiber loading (number of sheets)

Xylanase concentration

50

75

100

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber
The analysis reports of FIDA for the morphological properties of the untreated fibers from
Saccharum spontaneum show that the fiber cell length is equal to 1.10 millimeters and the
fiber cell diameter is 12.38 micrometers. The reports also indicate that an individual fiber
has a tensile strength of 14.6 MPa and an elongation of 3.33%.

Table 5. Chemical composition of Saccharum spontaneum fiber.

Component
Ash
Lignin
Holocellulose
-cellulose
Hemicellulose

%
2.25
6.71
72.86
33.20
28.06

The chemical composition of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber shows a high content of
cellulose, as shown in Table 5 (results show that the -cellulose content is 33.20%). The
overall cellulose content of the fiber is 43.78%, making a total -cellulose content of
75.83%, which is comparable to other natural fibers (as shown in Table 6). This indicates
that the fiber has a high crystalline structure. The results also show a low percentage of
lignin (6.71%) and hemicellulose (28.06%).

Table 6. Alpha cellulose content of some natural fiber used in reinforcements.

Natural Fiber

-cellulose

Abaca

95.20%

Kenaf

47.4%

Jute

61%

Bagasse

47.4%
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Figure 5 shows the Saccharum spontaneum fiber was done using the scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The fiber mats are subjected to the SEM before and after the application
of xylanase. The average fiber diameter of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber without
xylanase is 4.79 m. From this, fiber diameter significantly decreased (38.69%) due to the
alkaline treatment.

Figure 5. Scanning electron microscope image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber without xylanase at 500
magnification with voltage equal to 1 kV and current equal to 26 A.

The fiber mat with 100% concentration of xylanase has also been subjected to the scanning
electron microscopy. As shown in Figure 6, microfibril separation is more apparent on the
100% xylanase-treated sample compared to the untreated fiber mat. The separation is
attributed to the presence of xylanase, which penetrates into the fiber and weakening the
fiber bondages upon the removal of hemicelluloses [7].

(a)

(b)

Figure 6. (a) SEM image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber without xylanase at 100 magnification with
voltage equal to 2 kV and current equal to 51 A. (b) SEM image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber without
xylanase at 100 magnification with voltage equal to 1 kV and current equal to 26 A.
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Morphology at the fracture surface

The fracture surface of the NFRP after tensile testing has also subjected to scanning electron
microscopy. As shown in Figure 7, plastic deformation can be observed at the fracture
surface, as well as the visible presence of voids. These voids indicate weak points in the
laminate and a possible site of failure. Tearing of the fiber mat can also be observed at the
fracture surface; the fiber fracture in the mat has occurred due to the longitudinal force
applied in the mechanical testing.

(a)

(b)

Figure 7. (a) Scanning electron microscope image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber reinforced composite
fracture surface with 5 sheets at x30 magnification with voltage equal to 1 kV and current equal to 26 A.
(b) Scanning electron microscope image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber reinforced composite fracture
surface with 5 sheets at x100 magnification with voltage equal to 1 kV and current equal to 26 A.

Figure 8. Scanning electron microscope image of the Saccharum spontaneum fiber reinforced composite
fracture surface with 5 sheets at 30 magnification, voltage equal to 1 kV and current equal to 26 A showing
exposed fiber strand and holes.

Failure mechanism in the NFRP is shown in Figure 8, where exposed fibers and holes are
present due to fiber pull outs, aside from the voids near the fiber-matrix interface. The break
from the NFRP samples where linear and minimal sheathing of fiber mat are observed at
the fracture point.
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Figure 9. Fracture behavior of the NFRP samples in tensile testing.

Effect of fiber loading and xylanase treatment to mechanical strength and modulus
Mechanical properties are tested to evaluate the effect of xylanase to the NFRP. The
effectiveness of xylanase can be determined by comparing the results of mechanical
strengths obtained at different concentrations of the coupling agent. The UTM is used to
determine the tensile strength and modulus of the talahib fiber-reinforced composite
samples according to ASTM D638.
Table 7 shows the different fiber loadings in terms of weight percent fiber measured for the
fabricated talahib NFRP samples. Discrepancies in the values is expected due to the
differences in weights of the prepared fiber mats, which are very difficult to control.

Table 7. Fiber loading of the samples at different concentrations of xylanase.

Xylanase (%)

3 Sheets (%)

4 Sheets (%)

5 Sheets (%)

12.27607698

12.66465686

17.46572431

50

10.05023019

12.11261253

15.76736936

75

10.70959145

13.60955411

16.09682749

100

8.439921872

12.82700928

14.76057203

The tensile stress-strain curve of NFRP samples with no xylanase treatment is shown in
Figure 10. The tensile strength of the sample with 5 sheets (second shortest) and the neat
samples (longest) are comparable. The NFRP breaks in a brittle manner, as the curve is
linear until it breaks or fractures with no bending at higher loads.
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Figure 10. Stress-strain curve for the NFRP samples (no xylanase treatment) at different fiber loadings.

The tensile stress-strain curves of NFRP samples with 50% and 75% concentration of
xylanase treatment are shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12, respectively. The slope behavior
for the different fiber loadings are observed to be similar. It can also be observed that the
maximum stress of the all NFRP samples are lower than that of the neat polyester resin,
which indicates that the xylanase treatments at lower concentrations may not be effective
to transfer of applied stress from the matrix to the fiber reinforcement. On the other hand,
the lowering of the maximum strain is expected due to the brittleness effect of incorporating
the rigid fibers into the plastic resin.

Figure 11. Stress-strain curve for the NFRP samples (50% xylanase treatment) at different fiber loadings.

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Figure 12. Stress-strain curve for the NFRP samples (75% xylanase treatment) at different fiber loadings.

The tensile stress-strain curve of the NFRP samples with 100% concentration of xylanase
treatment is shown in Figure 13. There is same slope behavior for the different fiber
loading. The NFRP also breaks in a brittle manner, but the increase in fiber loading is
observed to be proportional to the maximum stress and strain values, which are
significantly higher stress compared those of the talahib NFRP samples treated with lower
concentrations of xylanase.

Figure 13. Stress versus strain curve for the average of samples with 100% concentration of xylanase
treatment at different fiber loading.

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Young's Modulus (GPa)

Figure 14 shows the effect of fiber loading to the Youngs modulus of talahib NFRP
without xylanase treatment. The increase in modulus is found to be proportional to the fiber
loading until it approaches a constant value of 8.6 GPa, which is significantly higher than
the Youngs modulus of the neat resin (5.52 GPa).

10
8
6
4
2
0
12.2

12.3

12.4
12.5
Fiber Loading %

12.6

12.7

Figure 14. Youngs modulus versus fiber loading of samples without xylanase treatment.

Figure 15 shows the effect of fiber loading to the Youngs modulus of talahib NFRP
samples with xylanase treatment at different concentrations. The increase in fiber loading
is proportional to the Youngs modulus until a constant value or asymptotic. The sample
with 100% xylanase treatment shows the highest Youngs modulus in the figure. The
Youngs modulus of 5 sheets with 100% xylanase NFRP is equal to 9.53 GPa.

Young's Modulus (GPa)

12
10
8

50% xylanase

75% xylanase

4
100% xylanase
2
0
6

10

12

14

16

18

20

Fiber Loading %

Figure 15. Youngs modulus versus fiber loading of samples without xylanase treatment.

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Figure 16 shows the effect of fiber loading to the tensile stress of the NFRP samples without
xylanase treatment. The increase in tensile strength is observed to be proportional to the
fiber loading, with the highest measured value achieved at 36 MPa for 5 talahib fiber sheets
(rightmost data point). This is expected because the increase in fibers represent an increase
in amount of applied stress that can be absorbed by the composite before failure.

40

Stress (GPa)

35

30

25

20
12.2

12.4
12.6
Fiber Loading %

12.8

Figure 16. Tensile stress versus fiber loading of samples without xylanase treatment.

40
35
Stress (MPa)

30
25

50% xylanase

20

75%

15
100%
10
5
0
7

11

13
15
Fiber Loading %

17

19

Figure 17. Tensile stress versus fiber loading of samples with xylanase treatment.

Figure 17 shows the effect of fiber loading to the tensile stress of talahib NFRP samples
with xylanase treatment at different concentrations. The increase in tensile strength is also
found to be proportional, with highest value obtained for the sample with 5 sheets and
treated with 100% concentration of xylanase. On the other hand, the samples treated with
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50% and 75% xylanase show a decrease in the Youngs modulus. This major difference in
behaviour may be attributed to the addition of water into the mixture. Because plant fibers
are hydrophilic [5], some water molecules could be retained by the NFRP even after drying,
and these could contribute significantly to the aging/degradation of the composite. This is
because water is absorbed in the fiber surface and consequently weakens the fiber-matrix
adhesion, thus lowering the NFRPs strength [8].
Responses to factors
The following table shows the responses to the factors in the experimental design:

Table 9. Responses (Youngs modulus, maximum average stress, maximum average

strain) with respect to the factors (fiber loading, xylanase concentration).
Factor Level
Combinations

Samples

Factor Level
Combinations

Responses
Maximum
Average
Strain
Y3

X1

X2

X1

X2

Y1

Maximum
Average
Stress
Y2

50

-1

-1

5.757205413

23.2712

4.0421

100

-1

4.918949461

23.5052

4.7785

50

-1

9.014482013

29.1934

3.2385

100

5.745129103

20.6704

3.5979

75

5.386595935

27.7205

5.1462

75

8.745837456

30.9384

3.5375

50

-1

7.07968493

22.3803

3.1612

75

6.243735178

31.5933

5.06

100

9.538264362

36.0947

3.7842

Fiber Xylanase, Fiber Xylanase,

loading
%
loading
%

Young's
Modulus

Main effects
The main effects are calculated and reported in Table 10. Fiber loading exhibits a positive
effect for the Youngs modulus and maximum average stress of the samples, but exhibits a
negative effect on maximum average strain. The coupling agent xylanase exhibits negative
effects for both the Youngs modulus and maximum average stress, but a positive effect in
the maximum average strain. The effect of both fiber loading and xylanase are negative for
all responses due to the large negativity of xylanase action in the samples. The negative
effect of xylanase can be attributed to the enzymatic action of xylanase: despite improving
the fiber-matrix adhesion, xylanase also removes superficial hemicelluloses, which
consequently weakens fiber-fiber bonding. Tensile strength is favored by the interfibrillar
links within the cellulosic fiber; hence, reduction of the presence of these links could
therefore result to a lower capability [7].
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Table 10. Main effects of the factors to the Youngs modulus, maximum average stress,
and maximum average strain.
Calculation of Main Effects
Young's Modulus Maximum Average Stress Maximum Average Strain
Effect Xfiber loading

2.041728121

1.5437

-0.9921

Effect Xxylanase

-2.053804431

-4.1445

0.5479

Effect of both

-1.215548479

-4.3785

-0.1885

From these effects, the coefficients for the three linear response models are calculated (see
Table 11):

Table 11. Linear coefficients for the estimates of linear responses where X1 is fiber loading
and X2 is xylanase concentration.

Linear
Coefficients
0
1
2
12

y
1

2
1

2
1

2

Young's
Modulus

Maximum
Average Stress

Maximum
Average Strain

6.358941498

24.16005

3.91425

1.020864061

0.77185

-0.49605

-1.026902216

-2.07225

0.27395

-0.60777424

-2.18925

-0.09425

First order model equations for the three responses are done from the linear coefficients.
The Youngs modulus and stress models indicate that the values of fiber loading is additive
to the Youngs modulus and tensile stress.
Young s Modulus:
= 6.3589 + 1.0208 1.0269 0.6077 (1)
Maximum Average Stress:
= 24.1601 + 0.7719 2.0723 2.1893 (2)
Maximum Average Strain:
= 3.9143 0.4961 0.2739 0.0943 (3)
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The maximum tensile strength measured due to fiber loading and xylanase concentration is
subjected to 2-way ANOVA:

Table 12. Average, variance and standard deviation for fiber loading and xylanase.
SUMMARY

0.5

0.75

Total

Count

15

Sum

116.356

121.6702

145.9669

383.9931

Average

23.2712

24.33404

29.19338

25.59954

Variance

25.24465

8.416665

38.90508

27.85409

Std. Dev

5.024405

2.901149

6.237394

5.277698

Count

15

Sum

103.3519

138.6025

154.6919

396.6463

Average

20.67038

27.7205

30.93838

26.44309

Variance

3.56805

19.08976

43.1329

38.49863

Std. Dev

1.888928

4.369183

6.567564

6.204726

Count

15

Sum

110.6535

157.9663

180.4734

449.0932

Average

22.1307

31.59326

36.09468

29.93955

Variance

2.353098

2.96886

19.6683

43.42526

Std. Dev

1.533981

1.723038

4.434896

6.589785

Count

15

15

15

Sum

330.3614

418.239

481.1322

Average

22.02409

27.8826

32.07548

Variance

10.11851

18.13135

38.2566

Std. Dev

3.18096

4.258092

6.185192

3 sheets

4 sheets

5 sheets

Total

The average maximum relative standard deviation between samples is 19.28%, which
means that response of samples are within 20% difference between values. This indicates
that the effects of both factors change the response by 20%.
Based on the results (Table 13), there is a significant difference between each fiber loading
level (rows) since the F ratio obtained from the data is greater than F crit. The difference
between xylanase treatments is also very significant since the F ratio is so much larger than
the critical value (21.06545 vs. 3.259446). The interactions, however, are found to be
insignificant; this means that the effect of the two parameters is insignificant.
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Table 13. Two-way ANOVA results of parameters fiber loading and xylanase
concentration to ultimate tensile strength.
Source of Variation
Sample
Columns
Interaction
Within

SS
df
158.8623 2
764.6636 2
118.8387 4
653.3895 36

Total

1695.754 44

MS
F
P-value
F crit
79.43115 4.376443 0.019891 3.259446
382.3318 21.06545 8.76E-07 3.259446
29.70967 1.636923 0.186218 2.633532
18.14971

Summary of findings
The highest values for Youngs modulus and tensile stress are obtained at 5 sheets with
100% concentration of xylanase (Youngs modulus 9.53 GPa, maximum stress 36 MPa).
Because of this, it can be assumed that the performance of Saccharum spontaneum fiberreinforced composites is comparable to those of wood and wood composites.

Table 14. Mechanical properties of different wood and wood-based composites [9].

Material

Youngs Modulus
(GPa)

CLEAR WOOD

Material

Youngs Modulus
(GPa)

Medium-density
fiberboard

3.59

White oak

12.27

Particleboard

2.76 4.14

Red maple

11.31

Oriented
strandboard

4.41 6.28

Douglas-fir
(Coastal)

13.44

Plywood

6.96 8.55

Western white pine

10.07

STRUCTURAL
TIMBER
PRODUCTS

Longleaf pine

13.65

Glued-laminated
timber

9.00 14.50

Laminated veneer
lumber

8.96 19.24

Wood-nonwood
composites

1.52 4.23

PANEL
PRODUCTS
Hardboard

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3.10 5.52

PIChE Journal

T. P. Tumolva, et al. (2014)

Vol. 15 No. 2

The Youngs modulus value of 9.53 GPa means that the NFRP is an applicable alternative
to panel products such as hardboard, and plywood as well as structural timber products.
Also, from Table 15, the Saccharum spontaneum fiber-reinforced composites can be
compared to wood composites of polypropylene and wood flour, having a maximum tensile
stress of 36 MPa and a Youngs modulus of 9.53 GPa.

Table 15. Mechanical properties of wood-plastic products [9].

Composite

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Youngs Modulus
(GPa)

Polypropylene (PP)

28.5

1.53

PP + 40% wood flour

PP + 40% wood flour + 3% coupling
agent
PP + 40% wood fiber
PP + 40% wood fiber + 3% coupling
agent

25.4

3.87

32.3

4.10

28.2

4.20

52.3

4.23

CONCLUSIONS
The Saccharum spontaneum fiber is treated with alkaline solution and xylanase and formed
into fiber mats before lamination into an orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin. The
resulting NFRP composite is evaluated for mechanical testing and SEM studies.
The following conclusions are made based on the results of this study:
1. High -cellulose content makes Saccharum spontaneum a good potential for NFRP
applications, and the use of xylanase on the surface of the fiber effectively increases the
surface area for bonding.
2. The composites produced are stiffer compared to the neat polyester sample, but lighter
in weight (about 5% lighter in average).
3. Xylanase-treated NFRPs have a higher Youngs modulus.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are the recommendations to be done following this study:
1. More sheets should be used as reinforcement.
2. The activity of the xylanase must be further studied in terms of the effect of
temperature and moisture.
3. The effect of moisture on the fiber mats alone should be studied.

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T. P. Tumolva, et al. (2014)

Vol. 15 No. 2

REFERENCES
[1] Mauselli, M. A. (2013). Introduction of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers - Polymers and
Composites: Concepts, Properties and Processes. In M. A. Mauselli, Fiber Reinforced
Polymers The Technology Applied for Concrete Repair (p. 3).
[2] Lucintel (2011). Opportunities in Natural Fiber Composites. Texas: Lucintel Brief.
[3] Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. (2013, July 1). Other Crops: Area Planted/Harvested
by Crop, Geolocation and Year (Abaca). Quezon City. Retrieved September 27, 2012,
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[4] Pedroso, M. A. (2013, September 26). (K. Guerrero, Interviewer).
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[8] Zhu, J., Zhu, H., Abhyankar, H., & Njuguna, J. (2009). Effect of Fiber Treatments on
Water Absorption and Tensile Properties of Flax/Tannin Composites. The 19th
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[9] Zhiyong Cai, R. R. (2010). Mechanical Properties of Wood Based Composite
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