Microstructure, Thermal Analysis and Acoustic Characteristics of Calotropis procera (Apple of Sodom) Fibers

In order to characterize the Calotropis procera (Sodom Apple) fibers six experimental tests and analyses are made. Such tests are Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the fiber diameter, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis, Fourier Transformation-Infra Red (FT-IR) analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA and DTGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and sound absorption for three specimens with different densities. Test results showed that the fibers are very smooth and have a diameter range 5-21 mu m in its crude state. The major constituent of the fiber is obtained as Carbon, Oxygen and Hydrogen since the fiber is organic in nature with a huge stretching at 3347 cm(-1) which is due to the -OH group. The degradation and decomposition of the fiber starts at about 222 degrees C and ends at about 382 degrees C with melting point at about 313 degrees C. High density sample of the fibers showed a good behavior of absorbing the sound especially at high frequency. Using such natural fiber in sound absorption with cornstarch as a binder has the advantages of not being hazardous to human beings and of a low environment impact.