Experimental investigation on tensile testing of natural raw fibres using an improved single fibre test method

In the modern era, the world is grappling with unprecedented challenges posed by environmental pollution. International agencies are urging scientists and material engineers to seek out green materials and structures as solutions to this problem. Composites derived from renewable sources, such as plant-based and vegetable fibres, are increasingly being utilized in the interior composite components of automobiles, aircraft, and building construction. This work introduces an improved Single Fibre Tensile Test (SFTT) for natural fibres, which are often irregular in shape and non-uniform along their length. Conventional methods, which determine the fibre cross-section by measuring the diameter using optical microscopy, yield inaccurate properties with large standard deviations (SD). The proposed new SFTT method, based on standards set by the American Society of Textile Manufacturing, provides a more accurate assessment of the mechanical performance of fibres. Using this approach, the tensile strength of various single fibres, yarns, and fabrics was measured with an SD of less than 8%.