Abstract
Environmental and energy conservation pressure has led to a dramatic increase in the need for economically feasible lightweight materials that can be better substitutes for non-biodegradable materials in reinforced composites. In this study, the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester resin composites hybridized with a blend of untreated and alkali treated sisal (Agave sisalana) and cattail (Typha angustifolia) fibers were evaluated. Composites were fabricated by a hand lay-up technique at an optimal hybrid fiber weight fraction of 20 wt% and a constant sisal/cattail fiber blend ratio of 75/25. Flexural, tensile, compressive and impact strengths and moduli, as well as thermal conductivity of the composites, were evaluated following ASTM and ISO test methods. Analytical results indicated that alkali pre-treatment of the fibers enhanced the mechanical properties of the hybrid polyester composites though only marginal differences were recorded in the thermal conductivity of the composites fabricated with treated and untreated fiber blends. Morphological examination revealed that the major failure modes were fiber pull-outs and fiber fracture in composites fabricated with untreated and treated fiber blends, respectively. The composites produced could find non-structural applications as ceiling boards, electronic and food packaging materials but their properties such as wettability, crystallinity, flammability and other thermal properties need to be further investigated.
Highlights
Reinforcement of construction materials such as mud bricks using natural fibers have been witnessed since the beginning of the era of human civilization (Rizal et al, 2018)
The mean tenacity of treated sisal and cattail fibers were 146.26 cN/tex and 35.35 cN/tex compared to 23.52 cN/tex and 9.46 cN/tex recorded in the untreated fibers respectively (Table S1)
These differences could be attributed to the reduction in fibre diameter due to the loss of weight resulting from the removal of carbonaceous materials after alkali treatment (Fig. 1) (Gañan et al, 2005; Ikramullah et al, 2019; Reddy et al, 2013)
Summary
Reinforcement of construction materials such as mud bricks using natural fibers (grass and straw) have been witnessed since the beginning of the era of human civilization (Rizal et al, 2018). This is primarily because they possess superior properties such as high specific strength and stiffness, low density and toxicity, carbon dioxide neutrality, are biodegradable and are readily available. Alkali treatment (typically with sodium hydroxide solution) or treatment with coupling agents are preferred for reworking the properties of natural fibers to improve interfacial bonding between the fibers and the matrices in the resultant composites (Aziz & Ansell, 2004; Boopathi, Sampath & Mylsamy, 2012; El-Abbassi et al, 2015; Manalo et al, 2015; Reddy et al, 2013; Rout et al, 2001; Verma et al, 2013; Goud & Rao, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
