Surface Modification of Sisal (Agavae sisalana) Fiber by Photocuring: Effect of Additives

Abstract

The sisal fiber (Agavae sisalana) was grafted with methacrylonitrile (MAN) under UV radiation in order to modify its mechanical and degradable properties. A number of MAN solutions of different concentrations in methanol (MeOH) along with photoinitiator Darocur-2959 were prepared. The soaking time, radiation dose and monomer concentration were optimized. Sisal fiber soaked for 60 min in 50% MAN and irradiated at 8th UV pass achieved highest values of tensile properties like tensile strength (TS = 140.2 MPa), and elongation at break factor (Ef = 8) with 8% polymer loading (PL). To further improve the properties of sisal fiber, a number of additives (1%) such as urea (U), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PNVP), tripropelene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA), hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), trimethyl propane triacrylate (TMPTA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were used in the 50% MAN formulation to graft at the optimized condition. Among the additives used, urea has significantly influenced the PL (9%), TS (190 MPa), and Ef (9) values of the treated sisal fiber. Water uptake and accelerated weathering test were also performed.