Mechanical properties of heat-treated natural fibers

Abstract

Tensile properties of heat-treated hemp and bamboo fibers were examined. The average tensile strengths of hemp and bamboo fibers without heat treatment are 863 MPa and 516 MPa, respectively. After heat treatment at 200°C for 7.2ks, both fibers show a 60 percent decrease in tensile strength. The tensile strength of hemp fiber is almost unchanged below 160°C, however it decreases drastically above this temperature. The bamboo fiber also has the same temperature dependence, but its degradation temperature decreases to 140°C. Young's moduli for both fibers are almost constant and independent of the heat treatment condition.