Physical and Chemical Characterisations of Surface Treated and Untreated Acacia Caesia Bark Bio -Fibers

This research focused on the eco-friendly enhancement of Acacia Caesia Bark (ACB) fibers through Castor oil treatment. The properties of untreated ACB fibers were compared with Castor Oil Treated Acacia Caesia (COTAC) fibers. Microscopic analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed the structural changes in the treated fibers. Single-fiber tensile tests were conducted to evaluate their strength. Physical and metallurgical characterization was performed, followed by thermal characterization using Thermogravimetric Analysis. The crystallinity structure of the fibers was assessed using X-ray diffraction, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy identified the presence of free functional groups. The results indicated that the Castor oil treatment slightly altered the fiber structure while significantly improving their tensile strength. The ultimate goal of this research was to explore the potential of using Castor oil treatment as a means to enhance the properties of ACB fibers and promote their application in eco-friendly natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites.