Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acoustical, morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of fibers extracted from the leaves of Yucca (Y. gloriosa) shrub.

Methods

Several tests were performed on either untreated or alkali-treated (5% NaOH) fibers. The chemical analysis of the fibers was performed to determine their lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, wax and moisture content. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis were respectively employed to chemically and thermally analyze the fibers. The microscopic examination was also carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). INSTRON universal testing machine and an impedance tube system were employed for measuring the tensile properties of the fibers and the sound absorption coefficient values of the samples fabricated from the same fibers, respectively.

Results

The results from the experiments revealed that the fibers have low density (1.32 g/cm3) and higher cellulose content (66.36 wt.%,). The mechanical characterization of these fibers also confirmed they are similar to the other lignocellulose fibers used for the reinforcement of polymer matrix composites. The tensile strength test conducted on Yucca fibres showed that mechanical properties of alkali treated fibers are superior to the untreated fibers. The thermal analysis also demonstrated that the alkali treated fibres can thermally withstand temperatures of up to 364 °C which confirms the fact that the thermal stability of fibers was improved by alkali treatment.

Conclusion

Fibers extracted from the leaves of Yucca demonstrated fair amounts of mechanical and thermal resistance and strength. The samples fabricated from Yucca fibers demonstrated fair levels of sound absorption coefficients particularly at higher frequency ranges which are typical to the other natural fibers. The possible use of Yucca fibers as either a reinforcing agent for composites or a sound absorbing medium is highly promising.

中文翻译：

---

可持续绿色丝兰 (Y. gloriosa) 纤维的形态、声学、机械和热性能：探索性调查

背景

本研究的目的是评估从 Yucca ( Y. gloriosa ) 灌木叶中提取的纤维的声学、形态、机械和热性能。

方法

对未处理或碱处理（5% NaOH）纤维进行了几项测试。对纤维进行化学分析以确定它们的木质素、纤维素、半纤维素、蜡和水分含量。傅里叶变换红外 (FTIR) 和热重分析分别用于对纤维进行化学和热分析。显微镜检查也使用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）进行。INSTRON 万能试验机和阻抗管系统分别用于测量纤维的拉伸性能和由相同纤维制成的样品的吸声系数值。

结果

实验结果表明，该纤维具有低密度（1.32 g/cm3）和较高的纤维素含量（66.36 wt.%）。这些纤维的机械特性也证实它们与用于增强聚合物基复合材料的其他木质纤维素纤维相似。对丝兰纤维进行的拉伸强度测试表明，碱处理纤维的机械性能优于未经处理的纤维。热分析还表明，碱处理的纤维可以耐热高达 364°C，这证实了碱处理提高了纤维的热稳定性这一事实。

结论

从丝兰叶中提取的纤维表现出相当多的机械和耐热性以及强度。由丝兰纤维制成的样品表现出相当水平的吸声系数，特别是在其他天然纤维所特有的较高频率范围内。丝兰纤维作为复合材料的增强剂或吸音介质的可能性很大。