Characterization of lignocellulosic curaua fibres

Curaua fibres have specific mechanical properties similar to inorganic fibres and are an important renewable raw material. Milled curaua fibres, submitted to different treatments, were characterized by mechanical and thermal properties, moisture content, water absorption, surface morphology, FTIR spectroscopy, density and X-ray diffraction. Except for moisture content and mechanical properties, no other significant changes were observed after the treatments. The treated fibres also show an increase of surface roughness.