Characterization of textile fibers from Brazilian Cerrado species

Abstract

The employ of vegetal fibers for textiles represents a great potential in economic and social sustainable development. The objective of the present study was the physicochemical characterization of ten vegetal fibers species from Brazilian Cerrado: (Tiliaceae) - Luehea grandiflora Mart. & Zucc. and Triumfetta bartramia L.; (Malpighiaceae) - Banisteriopsis argyrophylla (A.Juss.) B.Gates; Banisteriopsis variabilis B.Gates and Byrsonima intermedia A.Juss.; (Lamiaceae) - Hyptis crinita Benth. and Stachys arvensis L.; (Bignoniaceae) - Arrabidaea brachypoda (S.DC) Bureau; (Sapindaceae) - Serjania lethalis A.St.Hil.; (Sterculiaceae) - Helicteres brevispira St.Hil. The stems of these species were retted in water at 37oC for 20 days. The fibers were tested in order to determine tensile rupture strength, tenacity, elongation, Young’s modulus, cross microscopic structure, Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), regain, combustion, acid, alkali, organic solvent and cellulase effects and the pH of the aqueous extract. The obtained values were compared with those from fibers of recognized applicability in the textile industry.