Abstract
In the pursuit of newer materials, this paper deals with the characterization of midribs of coconut leaves which form one of the renewable resources of many tropical countries which cultivate coconut trees. The density, chemical constituents and mechanical properties of these midribs are evaluated before and after subjecting them to natural weathering conditions. It is found that cellulose and lignin vary from about 30 and 16% before subjecting to weathering to about 27 and 32%, respectively, after exposure to weathering for 2 years. Alternate wet and dry conditions for 25 cycles result in a decrease of the breaking load of the midrib from 747 to 620 N. These observed properties along with the fracture mechanisms in the midrib are explained on the basis of its structural parameters studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy.
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Venkataswamy, M.A., Pillai, C.K.S., Prasad, V.S. et al. Effect of weathering on the mechanical properties of midribs of coconut leaves. J Mater Sci 22, 3167–3172 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01161178
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01161178