TENSILE STRENGTH OF FIBRES UNDER ACIDIC AND BASIC
CONDITIONS
INDEX
1. Acknowledgment
2. Certificate
3. Introduction
4. Objective
5. Theory
o Tensile Strength and its Importance
o Effect of Acids and Bases on Fibres
6. Experimental Setup
7. Materials Required
8. Procedure
9. Observations & Calculations
10. Results and Analysis
11. Conclusion
12. Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
Fibres are widely used in textiles, ropes, and composite
materials due to their high tensile strength. However,
exposure to different chemical environments can significantly
alter their properties. This project investigates how acids and
bases affect the tensile strength of various fibres, helping us
understand their durability and chemical resistance.
Fibre strength is essential in industries like clothing,
construction, and biomedical applications. Studying their
response to different chemical environments helps in
material selection and durability enhancement.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is:
To understand the tensile strength of different fibres.
To study the effect of acidic and basic solutions on fibre
strength.
To compare the degradation of natural and synthetic
fibres under different pH conditions.
To analyze the practical implications of fibre strength in
real-world applications.
THEORY
Tensile Strength and Its Importance
Tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can
withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking. It
is a critical property for materials used in construction,
textiles, and engineering applications.
Effect of Acids and Bases on Fibres
Fibres can be classified into natural (cotton, silk, wool) and
synthetic (nylon, polyester). Their reaction with acids and
bases depends on their chemical composition:
Natural fibres (cotton, wool, silk): Contain proteins
(keratin, fibroin) or cellulose, which are sensitive to
acidic or basic degradation.
Synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester): More resistant but
may weaken under prolonged exposure to harsh
chemicals.
Acidic and basic conditions break the chemical bonds in
fibres, leading to reduced tensile strength. Understanding this
effect is essential for material selection in different
environments.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
Materials Required
Samples of natural fibres (cotton, wool, silk)
Samples of synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester)
0.1M Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
0.1M Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Distilled water
Weighing balance
Beakers
Force gauge or weights for tensile testing
Ruler
Timer
PROCEDURE
1. Cut equal lengths of each fibre sample.
2. Measure their initial tensile strength using a force gauge
or weight-hanging method.
3. Divide the fibres into three groups: one exposed to acid,
one to base, and one to distilled water (control).
4. Soak the samples in their respective solutions for 24
hours.
5. Remove, rinse with distilled water, and dry them.
6. Measure the final tensile strength of each sample.
7. Record and compare the results.
OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS
Recorded Data
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Natural fibres (cotton, wool, silk) showed significant
degradation in acidic and basic conditions.
Wool was the most affected due to the protein structure
being highly sensitive to acid.
Synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester) were more resistant to
chemical exposure, with only slight reductions in
strength.
Distilled water had minimal effect on fibre strength,
serving as a good control.
CONCLUSION
From this experiment, we conclude:
Acids and bases weaken natural fibres significantly,
making them unsuitable for harsh chemical
environments.
Synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon are more
resistant to chemical exposure.
The study helps in selecting suitable materials for
textiles, ropes, and industrial applications.
Understanding the tensile strength of fibres under different
conditions is crucial for industries that rely on durable
materials. This experiment provides insights into material
science and its applications in real life.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Textbook
2. General Chemistry by Linus Pauling
3. Research articles on fibre strength and chemical
degradation
4. Internet sources on material science and engineering
applications