Effect of microwave radiation on the macromolecular, morphological and crystallographic structures of sisal fiber

Experiments have been performed to find out the effectiveness of the microwave radiation on the modification of the sisal fiber. The idea of taking the high frequency microwave for modification of the sisal is fueled by the present environmental and energy crisis. Physical properties of the fiber have been modified significantly after microwave irradiation under different conditions in terms of power and time. Macromolecular parameters of the fiber are characterized by the Small angle X-ray Scattering characterization (SAXS) technique. These parameters have been found to be changed significantly after the microwave heat treatment as compare to the raw fiber. The fibers that are irradiated for 4 min under 320 W microwave power (320W4) are found to have least distortion, defect, enhanced density, surface roughness, improved crystallinity, and hydrophobicity. However, the degradation of the structural component and crystallinity of the fiber are observed at higher power and higher treatment period. The chemical structure of the microwave treated fiber does not change much except at higher power and prolong treatment period.