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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2016, pp. 234–241 Article ID: IJCIET_07_04_019
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=4
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
BAMBOO FIBRE ANALYSIS BY SCANNING
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY
Kavitha. S
Research Scholar,
Dr. M.G.R Educational Research & Institute University,
Chennai, India.
Dr. T. Felix Kala
Professor & HOD,
Dr. M.G.R Educational Research &Institute University,
Chennai, India
ABSTRACT
A fibre is a small discrete reinforcing material produced from various
materials like steel, plastic, glass, carbon and natural materials in various
shapes and sizes. Fibre (fiber) analysis laboratory testing is used for
identification, quality inspection, determining contamination and is deployed
from macro to nano scale Bamboo fibers are focused as one of substitution for
natural plant fibers having many Advantages such as low cost, low density,
ecologically friendly, sustainability and biodegradability. Present study is
made to understand the structure behavior of bamboo fibers by SEM analysis.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses the surfaces of materials,
particles and fibres so that fine details can be measured and assessed via
image analysis. SEM provides a means for industry to resolve contamination
issues, investigate component failure, identify unknown particulates or study
the interaction between substances and their substrates. It can also provide a
wealth of information to support research of materials, chemicals or
biological samples.
Key words: Structure, Bamboo Fibers, Scanning Electron Microscopy,
Surface, Failure.
Cite this Article: Kavitha. S and T. Felix Kala, Bamboo Fibre Analysis by
Scanning Electron Microscope Study. International Journal of Civil
Engineering and Technology, 7(4), 2016, pp.234–241.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=4
Bamboo Fibre Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope Study
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1. INTRODUCTION
A fibre is a small discrete reinforcing material produced from various materials like
steel, plastic, glass, carbon and natural materials in various shapes and sizes. Bamboo
is primarily a type of giant grass with woody stems. The stems are called “shoots”
when the plant is young and “culms” when the plant is mature. Each bamboo plant
consists of two parts – the “Culm”/stem that grows above the ground and the
underground “rhizome” that bears the roots of the plant. Bamboo in comparison with
other natural fibers is eco friendly with high growth rate and fixing the carbon dioxide
of atmosphere, which makes it the most important plant fibers. It is found that more
than 1000 species of bamboo and around 70 gener grow naturally in diverse climates,
especially in Asia and South America abundantly. Bamboo has several advantages
such as light weight, high strength, stiffness, biodegradability, and even its roots and
leaves keep the soil together and protect it against the sun respectively. These
properties are caused that bamboo to be used traditionally for manufacturing of living
tools. Beside the massive utilization of bamboo in building construction and living
tools, it also can be used as reinforced composite materials base on extracting
appropriate fibers in a controlled manner.
2. METHODOLOGY
Fiber analysis and testing is an involved science which demands a dedicated approach
in preparing samples in preparation for thorough analysis as results are properly
attained from an experienced examination and applied wisdom. Only an expert
approach will be able to interpret results accurately and specializes in the
identification and examination of fibers before and after various treatments, including
wear and damage at both the surface and cross-sectional levels.
Surface analysis capabilities range from the macro to the nano-scale, including the
capability to measure and analyze depositions. Fiber testing is also a crucial aspect in
determining the source of contamination.
It can provide dedicated analysis and thorough interpretation of analytical test
results, drawing on resident expertise from a global network of scientists. We ensure
that sample turnaround time for urgent analysis needs is usually complete within days,
as time is a key consideration in all fiber analysis testing.
Fiber Analysis Techniques
• Optical Light Microscopy
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
3. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses the surfaces of materials, particles and
fibers so that fine details can be measured and assessed via image analysis. SEM
provides a means for industry to resolve contamination issues, investigate component
failure, identify unknown particulates or study the interaction between substances and
their substrates. It can also provide a wealth of information to support research of
materials, chemicals or biological samples.
Kavitha. S and T. Felix Kala
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 236 editor@iaeme.com
SEM/EDX facilitates the study of particles and surfaces with the added benefit of
acquiring elemental composition for the sample being studied. Elemental mapping
and distribution across the surface of the sample is also available.
3.1. Reliable System with Valuable Features
The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy component is implemented with an
EDAX EDS.
• The SEM equipment includes a variable pressure system capable of holding wet
and/or non-conductive samples with minimal preparation.
• The large sample chamber allows for the examination of samples up to 200 mm (7.87
in.) in diameter and 80 mm (3.14 in.) in height.
• High-resolution images are produced during SEM analysis at magnifications from 5x
to 300,000x.
3.2. Complete Sample Preparation Including Microscopy And Sem
Samples.
• Precision Cutting
• 1.5″ & 2″ Mounts
• Thermoset & Thermoplastic Mounting
• Cold Mounting
• Automatic Grinding & Polishing
• Immersion, Swab & Electrolytic Etching
3.3. Sample Preparation Process
The various steps in sample preparation include:
• Selecting a representative sample of the materials
• Sectioning the sample without altering or destroying the material’s structure
• Mounting the section without damage to the sample
• Grinding to achieve a flat sample with a minimum amount of damage to the sample
surface
• Polishing the mounted and ground sample
• Etching in the proper etchant to reveal the microstructural details.
1. Selecting a representative sample to properly characterize the microstructure or the
features of interest is a very important first step. For example, grain size
measurements are performed on transverse sections, whereas general microstructure
evaluations are performed on longitudinal sections. Therefore, it is important for
customers to provide LTI with information about the orientation or the rolling
direction of the test specimen before sample preparation begins.
2. Sectioning of the test sample is performed carefully to avoid altering or destroying
the structure of the material. Thus, if an abrasive saw is used, it is important to keep
the sample cool with lubricant or coolant. However, no matter how carefully abrasive
sawing or electric discharge machining is performed, a small amount of deformation
occurs on the sample surface. This deformation must be removed during subsequent
sample preparation steps.
Bamboo Fibre Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope Study
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3. After the sample is sectioned to a convenient size, it is mounted in a plastic or epoxy
material to facilitate handling during the grinding and polishing steps. Mounting
media must be compatible with the sample in terms of hardness and abrasion
resistance.
4. The next sample preparation step is grinding with a water lubricated abrasive wheel.
This step is required to remove the surface damage that occurred during sectioning
and to provide a flat surface. The grinding procedure includes the use of a series of
progressively finer abrasive grits.
5. The polishing step in metallurgical sample preparation removes the last thin layer of
the deformed metal for a smooth reflective surface. It leaves a properly prepared
sample ready for examination of the unetched characteristics, such as inclusion
content or any porosity that may exist.
6. The final step that might be used is etching in an appropriate acidic or basic solution
in order to bring out the microstructure of the test sample. This step reveals features
such as grain boundaries, twins and second phase particles not seen in the unetched
sample.
3.4. EM Analysis Applications
The signals generated during SEM analysis produce a two-dimensional image and
reveal information about the sample including:
• External morphology (texture)
• Chemical composition (when used with EDS)
• Orientation of materials making up the sample
The EDS component of the system is applied in conjunction with SEM analysis
to:
1. Determine elements in or on the surface of the sample for qualitative information
2. Measure elemental composition for semi-quantitative results
3. Identify foreign substances that are not organic in nature and coatings on metal
4. BAMBOO FIBRE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Bamboo culms are hollow, and every Culm from inner side is divided by several
diaphragms which are seen as rings on the outside. The part between two rings is
called “Internode” where branches grow. Distance between each node varies and it
depends on the type of the species. The microstructure of a bamboo Culm consists of
many vascular bundles which are embedded in parenchyma tissue and distributed
through the wall thickness. Parenchyma tissue only keeps the vascular bundles in the
longitudinal direction. The number of vascular bundles is highly concentrated close to
the outside of the bamboo Culm wall, and this amount reduced on the inside. They
involve vessels, sclerenchyma cells, fiber strand and sieve tubes with companion
cells. The fiber strand consists of many elementary fibers with the shape of hexagonal
and pentagonal, where Nano-fibrils are aligned and bounded together with lignin and
hemi-cellulose. The strength of a bamboo Culm is defined by its vascular bundles.
Therefore it is essential to use a suitable method to separate the parenchyma tissue
from fiber strands and vascular bundles without any destructive effect on the extracted
fibers. The different ages of bamboo as shown in fig 1.fig3,4,5 shows the images of
scanning electron micro scoping of bamboo fibers of different diameters of fibers
700microns,1.56mm and 1.244mm respectively.
Kavitha. S and T. Felix Kala
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Figure 1 Different ages of raw bamboo
Figure 2 Cleaved young age bamboo strips
Figure 3 Crushing of bamboo strips by roller
Bamboo Fibre Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope Study
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Figure 4 bamboo fibers after rolling
Figure 5 bamboo fibre after extraction
Figure 6 scanning electron microscoping image of bamboo fibre diameter 700microns
Kavitha. S and T. Felix Kala
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Figure 4 scanning electron microscoping image of bamboo fibre diameter 1.156mm
Figure 5 Scanning electron microscoping image of bamboo fibre diameter 1.24mm
5. CONCLUSION
Bamboo fibre has several advantages over other plant natural fibers such as high
growth rate, strength, and fixing the carbon dioxide. It also can be compared with
glass fibre because of its light weight, biodegradability, and low cost.
The following conclusions has drawn the structure and behavior of bamboo fibers
by SEM analysis has been studied. SEM provides a means for industry to resolve
contamination issues, investigate component failure, identify unknown particulates or
study the interaction between substances and their substrates. It can also provide a
wealth of information to support research of materials, chemicals or biological
samples.
Bamboo Fibre Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope Study
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 241 editor@iaeme.com
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