Synopsis
Synopsis
OBJECTIVES:
The proposed research work will be undertaken with the following objectives:
1. Optimization of the extraction of fiber from Ricinus communis plant.
2. To observe the physio-chemical properties of the extracted fiber.
3. Preparation of value added products.
III. A BRIEF RESUME OF WORK DONE IN INDIA AND ABROAD
The tensile strength of (323 MPa for 300 µm (0.3mm) diameter ) single castor oil plant
cortex fiber are reported to be comparatively very high as with the tensile strength (100 MPa for 300
µm (0.3mm) diameter ) of the single castor oil plant xylem fiber. The preliminary studies of the fiber
revealed that the fiber can be used as reinforcement for natural fiber composites, (Egala and Setti,
2017).
The tensile strength of castor oil cortex fiber is more than those of hemp and coir and
waste broom grass fibers, (Egala and Setti, 2017).
The bark of Ricinus communis is reported to produce fibers with physical characters
similar to cotton, (Vinayaka et al., 2017).
Castor fibers are considerably coarser than cotton and jute fibers which also influence the
surface area and hence binding (Vinayaka et al., 2017).
Having a crystalline structure similar to that of cellulose suggests that the castor fibers will
have higher absorption of dyes, metals and other chemicals and better mechanical properties
compared to similar fibers obtained from other lignocellulosic sources, (Vinayaka et al, 2017).
The crystallite size of caster fiber was found to be 4.8 nm, which is higher than flax fiber
(2.8 nm), curaua (3.43 nm), buriti (3.7 nm), corn stalk fibers(3.8 nm) and cotton fibers (4.7 nm),
(Nijandhan and Muralikannan, 2018).
IV. JUSTIFICATION OF THE TOPIC
Ricinus communis is abundantly found in all over India. The bast fibers offer the advantage
of renewability and biodegradability. They are also reported to posses the properties essential to be
considered as textile fiber. They are most abundantly used for extraction of oil from beans as well as
a major host plant for Eri silkworm and the rest of the plant is treated as waste. Initial studies are also
being conducted to use Ricinus communis as a potential source for polymer composites. The study
has been conducted to use the waste stems for extraction of the fiber and to study the physio-
chemical properties of the fiber to blend with jute. So, keeping in view the tremendous scope for
making various end uses, the investigator has made an attempt to carry out an investigation on
“EXTRACTION OF FIBER FROM Ricinus communis AND BLENDING WITH JUTE FOR
VARIOUS END USES”.
V. TECHNICAL PROGRAMME OF THE WORK:
The proposed study will be carried out based on the following approaches:-
Selection and collection of material :
Ricinus communis stem will be selected and collected for the study from the local areas of
Jorhat.
Evaluation of morphological properties of the plant:
The average length and diameter of the plant will be taken with the help of measuring tape,
average weight will be weighed with the help of weighing balance.
Extraction of fiber from Ricinus communis plant:
The extraction of fiber will be optimized using different concentrations of NaOH and material
to liquor ratio at different time duration by keeping the temperature constant.
Scouring of fiber:
Scouring is the process of removing foreign substances from the fiber. Scouring will be carried
out by the method adopted by Aaditaa and Jahan, 2018.
Bleaching of fiber:
Bleaching is the process by which by which natural or any other colouring matters are removed
from the fiber making it completely white. Bleaching will be carried out by the method adopted
by Gogoi et al., 2017.
Evaluation of physical properties of the extracted fiber:
The physical properties such as length, diameter, wall thickness, bundle strength, fiber strength
and fiber fineness will be carried out by using standard ASTM (American Society for Testing
and Materials) methods.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Infra-red (IR) spectroscopy of the extracted fiber
will be analyzed.
Evaluation of chemical properties of the extracted fiber:
For estimation of moisture content, ash content, lignin, fats and wax, alpha cellulose and hemi
cellulose content, solubility in different solvents etc, will be carried out by TAPPI Standard
Methods (1980, revised 2018 ).
Preparation of value added products
Different value added products will be prepared from the extracted fibre.
Analysis of the data:
Data will be analyzed by using appropriate statistical methods.
Location of the experiment
Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing, College of Community Science, AAU, Jorhat.
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Aaditaa. and Jahan, S. (2018). Extraction and processing of Bast fibres from. Ficus glomerata- A
new source for non- conventional fibres. Journal of Applied and Natural Science.
10 (2): 661 - 666
Egala, R. and Setti, S. (2017). Experimental investigation on tensile property of Ricinus communis
L plant fiber to make polymer reinforced composites. Materials Today:
Proceedings, ICAAMM. 4:8633–8637
Gogoi, N.; Gogoi, M. and Choudhury, S. (2017). Utilization of agro waste-okra and its
potentiality. Asian Journal of Home Science. (12):250-256
Nijandhan, K. and Muralikannan, R. (2018). Ricinus communis fiber as potential reinforcement for
lightweight polymer composites. Materials Research Express. 5:095307
Vinayaka, D.L.; Vijaykumar, G.; Madhavi, D.; Arpitha, D. and Reddy, N. (2017). Ricinus
communis plant residues as a source for natural cellulose fibers potentially
exploitable in polymer composites. Industrial Crops and Products. 100:126– 131