K Gupta* and NR Chauhan
Bhimal/Grewia optiva, natural fiber, being agricultural waste, possess various lucrative assets such as nontoxicity, eco-friendliness, capable of being burned, low in weight and cost. The fibers are eradicated from the branch and stem of Grewia optiva tree (Grewia oppositifolia). The treatment of Bhimal fibers is analysed in the article. Raw fibers are bleached and healed with sodium hydroxide (alkali treatment). Measurements of the diameter can be obtained through projection microscope and microtome. It was confirmed by an image taken with a microscope that the diameter of fiber had been decreased to about 54.72 micron. The impact of the alkali treatment technique on the surface of the fibre has been assessed in this paper. For the evaluation of fibre strength, bundle test have been done. Removal of cellulose enhances the interlocking capacity of fiber with the polymer and also reduces the water absorbing capacity. Although the bundle test has the benefits of being quicker, simple and more useful in practise, the single unit fibre test provides exact results.
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