This article presents the extraction and effect of alkali treatment on the physical, chemical,tensile, and thermal characteristics of fiber strands obtained from Napier grass, a renewablebiomass. In order to improve these properties, the Napier grass fiber strands were treated withsodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment was carried out using NaOH solution at three differentconcentrations (5, 10, and 15%) for 2 h. Characterization of untreated and alkali-treated Napiergrass fiber strands was carried out by studying the chemical composition, surface morphology,functional group variation, crystallinity, and tensile and thermal behavior. It was found thatuntreated fiber strands have lower cellulose content, crystallinity, tensile properties, and thermalstability than alkali-treated fiber strands. Napier grass fiber strands treated with 10% NaOHshowed optimum tensile strength, modulus, and percentage elongation with an improvementof 51.9, 47.3, and 12.1% respectively. Based on the properties determined for alkali-treatedNapier grass fiber strands, we expect that these fibers will be suitable for use as a reinforcementin natural fiber composites.

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