Characterization of novel Passiflora foetida natural fibers for paper board industry.

In the current scenario, the paperboard industries are experimenting the reinforcement of their products with various natural fibers. Based on affordability, low weight, biodegradability and recyclability, natural fiber-reinforced composites have attracted the attention of industrial researchers. In the present work, investigations have been carried out to find the suitability of the Passiflora foetida fiber for paper board industry. The physico-mechanical and chemical compositions in the fiber are analyzed with the help of standard methods. The average density and diameter of the fibers were 1.22 g/cm³ and 98.48 ± 5.65 µm, respectively. The fibers showed a tensile strength of 0.32 ± 0.21 MPa, Young's modulus of 19.42 MPa and strain-to-failure of 2.05 ± 0.18%. The maximum peak of depolymerization is obtained at 361.7℃ in DTG curve. These properties make the Passiflora foetida fibers suitable for replacing the existing fiber in the paperboard composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]