Abstract
Scientists have been searching for biodegradable natural materials that can be used in place of synthetic materials that have not been biodegradable for a long time. Especially in automotive, space, furniture, construction, medical and packaging industries, synthetic composite materials are used abundantly. For this reason, interest in biodegradable biocomposites is increasing. In recent years, many stem fibers such as flax, hemp, kenaf and jute have been started to be used as an alternative to reinforcing fibers traditionally used in composite materials. In fact, researches have begun to focus on the assessment of agricultural plant stem wastes in fiber extraction because of their sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, renewable and economical properties. Stem waste fibers can show different characteristics according to the plant from which they are obtained. Okra is an agricultural plant that is easy and effortless to cultivate because of its drought-resistant nature and low water requirements. The okra fibers are obtained from the stem wastes of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus) remaining on the fields after harvest. The okra fibers have a low ratio of lignin (7.1%), which causes yellowing and photochemical degradation, and have high molecular weight. For this reason, properties such as color fastness and strength are good. The physical and chemical properties of the okra fibers, which have a high cellulose content (67.5%), resemble other traditional body fibers. In terms of usability in the production of composites, cellulose is the most important content in natural fibers. The higher the cellulosic ratio, the stronger the fiber, and so the more suitable to use it as a reinforcement. Recent studies have shown that the mechanical strength and modulus of okra fibers are good and that they have the potential to be used as a reinforcing element in polymer matrix composites. Okra fibers can be modified by environmentally friendly chemical surface modifications, besides improving their mechanical properties such as strength, these treatments increase their absorbency in subsequent processing by providing surface roughness.
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This work was supported by TUBITAK 1001 under grant 215M984.
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Kocak, E.D., Merdan, N., Mistik, I., Sahinbaskan, B.Y. (2018). Fiber Extraction from Okra Plant Agricultural Wastes, Their Characterizations and Surface Modifications by Environmental Methods. In: Muthu, S. (eds) Sustainable Innovations in Textile Fibres. Textile Science and Clothing Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8578-9_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8578-9_3
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