Some structural aspects of sisal fibers

A critical account has been presented of the recent investigation on the chemical modification of lignocellulosic sisal fibers. The molecular structure of the paracrystalline cellulose, which forms the major constituent of the fiber, was studied by x-ray diffraction technique. Scanning electron microscope examination of the multicellular structure, surface topology, and fracture morphology of the fiber was carried out. The mechanical properties of the sisal ultimate cell and the “technical” fiber have been investigated by means of a microextensometer and an Instron tensile tester, respectively.