LAUSR

The influence of softening on tensile strength, elongation at break, moisture regain and microscopic morphology of Palm Sheath fiber extracted by chemical degumming using 80% sodium hydroxide; bleached by hydrogen peroxide and softened by silicone emulsion softener was studied. The softened and unsoftened fibers were characterized for their longitudinal view, tensile strength and elongation at break of single fiber by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The single fiber tensile strength and elongation at break were 19.6% and 10.22% respectively. The calculated value of moisture regain and moisture content of the softened fibers was 12.65% and 11.23% respectively. The tensile strength, elongation at break, moisture management of the softened palm sheath fiber was significantly higher. As a result of surface modification microscopic morphology, the treated fiber was also found different. The study result had drawn the significant influence of the surface modification on the forth mentioned properties of the extracted palm leaf sheath fiber.