TITLE:
Characterization of the Thermo-Microstructural Analysis of Raffia Palm Fibers Proposed for Roofing Sheet Production
AUTHORS:
R. S. Odera, O. D. Onukwuli, C. U. Atuanya
KEYWORDS:
Raffia Palm Fibers, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.3 No.4,
July
23,
2015
ABSTRACT: Raffia fibres are made from fibrous branches and leaves of Raffia palm. The membrane on the underside
of each individual frond leaf is taken off to create a long thin fiber. They are usually waste
materials which cause a great environmental degradation. The characterization of Raffia palm fibers/
particles was investigated through X-ray diffractometer (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA/DTA), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Scanning electron mi croscope with
energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and Atomic force microscope (AFM). The various results
obtained are equivalent to those of other agro-waste materials generally used in roofing sheets composites
production. Hence, this work shows that Raffia palm fibers/particles can be a useful material
for cement mortar composites production which can be used for production of roofing sheets.