The use of natural fibers is increasingly being recognized as a sustainable reinforcement in polymer composites due to their biodegradability and better mechanical properties during implementation. The aim of this research article was to focus on the extraction of fiber from the Ficus tsjahela plant and evaluate its suitability for reinforcing polymer composites. After extraction, the fiber's suitability for use as reinforcement in polymers was tested. The chemical analysis of the F. tsjahela fiber (FTF) estimated a cellulose content of 62.56 ± 8.77 wt%, which was corroborated by the results of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The crystallinity index of 77.08 % and the crystallite size value of 4.22 nm for FTF were revealed by the XRD analysis. Thermal analysis outcomes showed the feasibility of using fiber in polymer composites with working and fabrication temperatures of 200 °C. The single fiber tensile strength (308.1 ± 22.93 MPa) and Young's modulus (2.575 ± 0.2081 GPa) of FTF were calculated and statistically verified using Weibull analysis. Impurities and a smoother surface in the FTF were identified through energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Surface modification of the FTF is essential to improve surface roughness, as enhanced surface roughness enables better bonding with the matrix material.
Keywords: Ficus tsjahela fiber; Polymer composites; Surface roughness; TGA; X-ray diffraction analysis.
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