Abstract
Nowadays, polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers are being considered in the civil engineering area. The use of polymeric composites to reinforce degraded timber structures can improve its behavior. Fibers with larger structural applications are glass and carbon but the use of natural fibers is an economical alternative and posses many advantages such as biodegradability, low cost and is derived from natural and renewable sources. Epoxy composite reinforced with sisal fabric was processed by resin transfer molding (RTM) at room temperature and this work studies thermal behavior and its respective mechanism of thermal decomposition. Samples of sisal fiber, epoxy resin and sisal/epoxy composite were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Thermogravimetric curves showed that sisal fibers can be used in manufacturing process where the processing temperature does not exceed 177°C and shown that the epoxy resin has the greatest stability material followed by sisal/epoxy composite.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
