Sisal Fiber Composites Research Articles

Efficacy of Thermally Conditioned Sisal FRP Composite on the Shear Characteristics of Reinforced Concrete Beams

The development of commercially viable composites based on natural resources for a wide range of applications is on the rise. Efforts include new methods of production and the utilization of natural reinforcements to make biodegradable composites with lignocellulosic fibers, for various engineering applications. In this work, thermal conditioning of woven sisal fibre was carried out, followed by the development of woven sisal fibre reinforced polymer composite system, and its tensile and flexural behaviour was characterized. It was observed that thermal conditioning improved the tensile strength and the flexural strength of the woven sisal fibre composites, which were observed to bear superior values than those in the untreated ones. Then, the efficacy of woven sisal fibre reinforced polymer composite for shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beams was evaluated using two types of techniques: full and strip wrapping techniques. Detailed analysis of the load deflection behaviour and fracture study of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with woven sisal under shearing load were carried out, and it was concluded that woven sisal FRP strengthened beams, underwent very ductile nature of failure, without any delamination or debonding of sisal FRP, and also increased the shear strength and the first crack load of the reinforced concrete beams.

Properties and Characteristics of Sisal Fibre Reinforced Composite

Using the pin on disc wear testing machine the wear characteristics of sisal fibre composite of different content were studied and alignment of fibres in polymer composite were known by scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that when there was no fibre content, the wear was ~25 micron but when the fibre content made 10% to the polymer, the wear increased upto 100 micron and its increased 125 micron at 20% fibre content, after this there is sharp decrease in wear when the sisal fibre content was increased up to 40% and its again reached to 25 micron when the fibre content was increased up to 60% and again after increasing the fibre content 80% the wear gradually increased to 175 micron. Thus to have less wear the fibre content should be 60% in composite.

Characterization of microstructures in sisal fiber composites by Voronoi diagram

In this article, the microstructures of sisal fiber composites were analyzed. The porous structure of sisal fiber, crystalline morphology of matrix and fiber distribution in composites were characterized by Voronoi diagram. The tensile properties of composites were also measured. The results show that the maleated polypropylene compatibilizer can accelerate the formation of transcrystalline interface between fibers and matrix. Improvement of interface adhesion and reduction of fiber polarity can lead to better fiber distribution in the matrix. The tensile moduli of composites are related to the degree of fiber distribution.

Micro and macro analysis of sisal fibre composites hollow core sandwich panels

In the view of the growing environmental concerns, hollow cores from recyclable natural fibre composites were manufactured to reduce the undesirable impact on the environment. To evaluate the feasibility of using short sisal fibres as reinforcements in the composites, existing micromechanical models have been used to predict properties starting from the intrinsic properties of its constituents. The stress relaxation behaviour of the composites was examined experimentally by performing tensile stress relaxation tests and to understand the process, it was modelled using variations of Maxwell’s model. A steady-state finite element analysis in the linear range was performed in ANSYS environment to examine flexural properties of the panels, and the shear strength of the hollow cores was experimentally determined by subjecting them to flexural loads in a four-point bending scheme. The micromechanics models indicated that the fibres had failed to provide effective reinforcements with their existing lengths, acting as fillers rather than reinforcements. The stress relaxation models indicated that the formed part needs to be cooled to room temperature within the die under suitable forming loads to avoid local deformations due to warping. The mid-span deflections of the sandwich panels predicted by the FE model agree well with the experimental results, the analysis predicted facing buckling as a mode of failure when wood veneers facings of modulus 4.5GPa and thickness 1.7mm were used. The specific shear strengths of the reinforced core are more than twice than those of the unreinforced polypropylene cores, increasing the scope of such panels as structural members in various engineering facets.

Studies on woven century fiber polyester composites

Treated and untreated woven century fiber (CF) composites are investigated for evaluating their flexural, tensile, and impact strengths, Barcol hardness, glass transition temperature, thermal resistance, and water absorption properties. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed a brittle fracture for treated fiber composite, while significant fiber pull-out is observed for the untreated fiber composite. Higher tensile and hardness properties, higher glass transition and thermal decomposition temperatures, and low water absorption properties are obtained for alkaline-treated composites. Enhanced interface bonding due to improved adhesion has helped in the formation of covalent bonds at the fiber–matrix interface, resulting in superior tensile, thermal, and water absorption properties of the treated fiber composite. Flexural and impact properties are higher for untreated fiber composite. This is due to the weak fiber–matrix interface and a differential strain in fiber and matrix. The weak interface has provided an energy absorbing mechanism and enhanced the impact energy absorption capacity. The tensile strength of CF composite is very much comparable with that of sisal fiber composite. The tensile and flexural properties are higher for the woven CF composites than those of short CF composites. But the impact properties are superior for short fiber composites compared to the woven fiber composites. Increased number of interfaces for the short fiber composites has contributed for the cushioning effect and an enhanced energy absorbing mechanism. Water absorption properties have improved for the treated fiber composites due to formation of a strong interface.

Effects of organic peroxide and polymer chain structure on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber reinforced polyethylene composites

AbstractThree types of polyethylene (PE), low‐density PE (LDPE), linear low‐density PE (LLDPE), and high‐density PE (HDPE) were used as polymer matrices to prepare untreated as well as dicumyl peroxide (DCP) treated sisal fiber composites. The effect of polymer chain structure, addition of DCP, and sisal fiber loadings on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the composite was investigated in this study. It was found that the extent of improvement in tensile properties of the composite samples varied with respect to the polymer molecular characteristics. The elongation at break for all the composites decreased significantly. Young's modulus and the tensile strength of the treated LDPE and LLDPE composites increased significantly compared with the untreated composites, whereas Young's modulus of the treated HDPE samples decreased observably compared with the untreated samples. DCP treatment, however, did not change the tensile strength of HDPE and its composites. The storage modulus results for all the PE composites correlate well with the tensile testing results. In the case of the LDPE and LLDPE samples, the curves of the mechanical loss factor (tan δ) show a clear relaxation around −18°C, which shifted to higher temperature in the treated composites, whereas for HDPE this transition was not seen. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Studies on natural fiber reinforced isotactic polypropylene-ethylene-octene copolymer blend composites

Blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene-octene-copolymer (EOC), having different proportions, were prepared in a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The tensile and flexural properties of iPP-EOC blends containing up to 20% EOC content were determined. Impact strength of blend containing 5% EOC increased drastically to the tune of >200% whereas the modulus and strength decreased marginally. The effect of EOC content on the mechanical properties was found to be linear suggesting uniform dispersion of EOC domains in polymer matrix. Various proportions of treated sisal and banana fibers were blended with iPP-EOC blend containing 5% EOC polymer matrix by melt blending technique. Both tensile and flexural properties increased whereas impact strength decreased with increase in fiber content. The extent of reinforcing effect of both sisal and banana fiber on iPP-EOC matrix is at comparable level. The melting point of composites was lower than virgin iPP, and the degree of crystallinity of composites was found to be lower than virgin iPP but higher than iPP-EOC blend. The extent of decrease in melting point and degree of crystallization remained same in both banana and sisal fiber composites. Thermal stability of composites was found to be lower than virgin iPP and iPP-EOC blend. Poor adhesion between polymer matrix and fiber was observed.

Mechanical properties of sisal natural fiber composites according to strain rate and absorption ratio

AbstractThe effects of strain rate and water absorption properties can be used to evaluate the environmental degradation of sisal fiber reinforced polymer–matrix composites. Composites of vinylester and epoxy resin, reinforced by sisal fiber, were manufactured using the RTM method. To examine how the mechanical properties change with different surface treatments of a fiber, three fibrous composites with nontreated, permanganate, and silane treatments were compared in this experiment. Material fracture occurred as the brittleness hardened due to an increase in strain rate. The tensile strength was the largest in the permanganate‐treated epoxy composites, while the untreated vinylester had high elongation and fracture energy. The highest tensile strength value occurred at a 30% absorption ratio. POLYM. COMPOS., © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Tensile, Flexural and Chemical Resistance Properties of Sisal Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites: Effect of Fibre Surface Treatment

In this study, effect of fibre surface treatment on tensile, flexural and chemical resistance properties were studied for sisal fibre reinforced composites. Natural ligno cellulosic sisal fibre reinforced composites were prepared by different surface treatments by hand lay-up method. Fibre surface treatments were carried out to produce good interface between the fibre and the matrix to improve the mechanical properties. Fibre surface treatments were done by boiled the sisal fibres in different % of NaOH and treated the fibres in different % of NaOH, treated in acetic acid and methanol. Unsaturated polyester resin was used as the matrix for preparing the composites. For comparison, these properties for untreated sisal fibre reinforced composites were also studied. From the results it was observed that 18% aqueous NaOH boiled sisal fibre reinforced composites have higher tensile, flexural properties than other composites. Untreated sisal fibre composites show lower properties than treated composites. Chemical resistance properties indicate that all sisal fibre reinforced composites are resistance to all chemicals except carbon tetra chloride. The tests are carried out as per the ASTM standards.

Mercerization of sisal fibers: Effect of tension on mechanical properties of sisal fiber and fiber-reinforced composites

Sisal fibers were mercerized, under tension and no tension, to improve their tensile properties and interfacial adhesion with soy protein resin. Mercerization of fibers under tension is known to minimize fiber shrinkage and to lower the microfibrillar angle by aligning them along the fiber axis. Mercerization improved the fracture stress and Young’s modulus of the sisal fibers while their fracture strain and toughness decreased. Mercerized sisal fiber-reinforced composites with soy protein resin showed improvement in both fracture stress and stiffness by 12.2% and 36.2%, respectively, compared to the unmercerized fiber-reinforced composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs of the composite fracture surfaces showed shorter fibrils protruding in the mercerized fiber-reinforced composites resulting in better sisal fiber/soy adhesion. Changed fiber surface properties were also responsible for better adhesion.

Fabrication and testing of natural fibre composites: Vakka, sisal, bamboo and banana

A study has been carried out to investigate the tensile, flexural and dielectric properties of composites made by reinforcing vakka as a new natural fibre into a polyester resin matrix. The fibres extracted by retting and manual processes have been used to fabricate the composites. These composites are tested for tensile, flexural and dielectric properties and compared with those of established composites like sisal, bamboo and banana made under the same laboratory conditions. The composites are fabricated up to a maximum volume fraction of fibre of 0.37 in the case of tensile testing, and 0.39 for flexural and dielectric testing. It has been observed that the tensile properties increase with respect to volume fraction of fibre for vakka fibre composite and are also more than those of sisal and banana composites and comparable to those of bamboo composites. The flexural strength of vakka fibre composite is more than that of banana composite and is closer to sisal fibre composite with respect to the volume fraction of fibre, where as the flexural modulus is much higher than those of banana and sisal fibre composites and also very much closer to bamboo fibre composites. The dielectric strength of vakka fibre composite increases with increase in volume fraction of fibre in the composite unlike the case of sisal, bamboo and banana composites. The dielectric strength being a unique feature of vakka fibre composite, can be suggested for electrical insulation applications.

Rigidity analysis of polypropylene/vegetal fibre composites after recycling

Polypropylene/hemp or sisal fibre composites exhibit interesting recyclability [Bourmaud A, Baley C. Investigations on the recycling of hemp and sisal fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2007;92(6):1034–45]. The obtained results prove that the tensile modulus of these polypropylene/vegetal fibre composites is well conserved with the number of reprocessing cycles. In this work, we investigated the relationship between the mechanical properties of the fibres and those of the composites by taking the influence of the recycling into account. In the first part of this study we carried out nanoindentation and tensile tests on vegetal fibres to obtain transversal and longitudinal Young's moduli. The experimental values were then introduced into micromechanical models, taking the aspect ratio changes into account, to estimate the stiffness of the PP/vegetal fibre injected composites before and after recycling. The first results show an interesting correlation between experimental results and model predictions; however a general underestimation of tensile stiffness of composites can be noticed.

Properties of SBS and sisal fiber composites: ecological material for shoe manufacturing

The worldwide trend toward using cheap, atoxic and durable materials from renewable resources contributes to sustainable development. Thus, the investigation of the potential use of vegetal fibers as reinforcing agent in polymeric composites has gained new significance. Sisal fiber has emerged as a reinforcing material for polymers used in automobile, footwear and civil industries. In this work, properties such as hardness, tensile strength and tear strength of polymer composites composed by block copolymer styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and 5, 10 and 20% by weight of sisal fiber were evaluated. The influence of conventional polymer processing techniques such as single-screw and double-screw extrusion, as well as the addition of coupling agent on the composite mechanical performance was investigated. Also, the morphology and thermal stability of the composites were analyzed. The addition of 2 wt. (%) maleic anhydride as coupling agent between sisal fiber and SBS has improved the composite mechanical performance and the processing in a double-screw extruder has favored the sisal fiber distribution in the SBS matrix.

Esterification effect of maleic anhydride on swelling properties of natural fiber/high density polyethylene composites

AbstractThe natural fibers (banana, hemp, and sisal) and high density polyethylene were taken for the preparation of natural fiber/polymer composites in different ratios of 40 : 60 and 45 : 55 (w/w). These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride (MA) and the effect of esterification of MA was studied on swelling properties in terms of absorption of water, at ambient temperature, and steam. It was found that the steam penetrates more within lesserperiod of time than water at ambient temperature. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam and water in comparison to MA‐treated fiber composites. The more absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites and less in sisal fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA‐treated and untreated fiber composites are higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. The natural fiber/polymer composites containing low amount of fibers show less absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature than the composites containing more amount of fibers in respective fiber composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007

Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl chloride)/virgin and treated sisal fiber composites

AbstractMechanical property changes, thermal stability, and water absorption capacity of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/sisal fiber composites were assessed with respect to the effect of maleic anhydride chemical treatments of the sisal fiber, for five different sisal fiber contents, varying from 0 to 30% by weight in the composite. The composites prepared with the untreated sisal exhibited higher tensile modulus and hardness than the unloaded resin, while elongation and tensile strength were reduced. The deterioration in the mechanical properties of PVC blended with sisal fiber is attributed to the presence of moisture, interfacial defects at the fiber and polymer interface, and fiber dispersion in the PVC matrix. The amount of absorbed water is a function of the amount of fiber in the composite (F0 = 0 phr, F5 = 0.77 phr, and F20 = 4.83 phr). The comparison of the results of characterization of F5, F20, and F30 formulations prepared with the untreated fibers and the treated ones showed a reduction in absorbed water after the chemical treatment of fiber with maleic anhydride (F0 = 0 phr, F5 = 0.28 phr, and F20 = 2.99 phr), thus improving the mechanical properties of composites prepared with the treated sisal. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3630–3636, 2007

The Compatibilizing Effect of Maleic Anhydride on Swelling Properties of Plant-Fiber-Reinforced Polystyrene Composites

In this work the fibers of banana, hemp, and sisal are employed as fillers for the formation of wood polymer composites with polystyrene in the different ratios of 40:60 and 45:55 (wt/wt), respectively. These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride, and the effect of maleic anhydride was studied on absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature in wood polymer composites. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam in comparison to maleic anhydride (MA)–treated fiber composites. The absorption of water increases with the increase in time from 2–30 h in all untreated fiber composites. The maximum absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites and the minimum in sisal fiber composites. The maleic anhydride esterified fiber composites showed less absorption of water than the untreated fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA treated and untreated fiber composites is higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. The wood polymer composites containing low amount of fiber shows less absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature than the composites containing a greater amount of fiber in respective fiber composites.

Preparation and characterization of EVA–sisal fiber composites

AbstractIn this work, composites of an EVA polymer matrix and short sisal fiber were characterized. The physical‐morphological as well as chemical interactions between EVA and sisal were investigated. When the samples were prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide, the results suggest that crosslinking of EVA as well as grafting between EVA and the sisal fibers took place. Morphological changes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results from Hg‐porosimetry, SEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface free energy, and gel content strongly indicate grafting of EVA onto sisal under the composite preparation conditions, even in the absence of peroxide. The grafting mechanism could not be confirmed from solid‐state 13C NMR analysis. The grafting had an impact on the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and tensile testing. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the composites are more stable than both EVA and sisal fiber alone. The composite stability, however, decreases with increasing fiber content. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1607–1617, 2006

Fracture toughness of natural fibers/castor oil polyurethane composites

Fracture toughness of natural fibers/castor oil polyurethane composites was investigated. The main interest in studying these biomass composites arises from the fact that both fibers and matrix are derived from renewable resources and the formed composite constitute an attempt towards environmental preservation. Sisal and coconut short fibers and woven sisal fabric were used ‘in natura’ and sodium hydroxide treated. The best fracture toughness performance was displayed by the sisal fabric composite. The alkaline treatment showed to be harmful for fracture toughness of the sisal fiber composites since the improved interfacial adhesion impaired the main energy absorption mechanisms. On the other hand, an enhancement on the fracture toughness of coconut fiber composites was observed, which has been credited to the fibrillation process occurring under the severest condition of the alkaline treatment, which creates additional fracture mechanisms.

Effect of Treatment of Maleic Anhydride on Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber: Polystyrene Composites

: In the present work, banana, hemp, and sisal fibers are employed as fillers for the formation of natural fiber:polystyrene composites in the ratios of 55:45, 50:50, 45:55, and 40:60 (wt/wt). The natural fibers were treated with maleic anhydride. The Young's modulus, flexural modulus, impact strength, and Shore-D hardness all decreased with increasing amounts of fibers in the natural fiber:polystyrene composites. The sisal fiber composites show the highest mechanical strength for all ratios. A maleic anhydride treatment shows significant improvement in Young's modulus, flexural modulus, impact strength, and Shore-D hardness compared with the untreated fiber composites.

Effects of fibre surface treatment on fracture-mechanical properties of sisal-fibre composites

Sisal fibre reinforced composites, one class of a broad range of eco-composite materials, were studied in connection with the effects of fibre surface treatment on their fracture-mechanical properties. Previous investigations on sisal fibre and its composites have been fully reviewed [1], which provided an impetus for this research. Two fibre surface treatment methods, chemical coupling based on silane and oxidization based on permanganate and dicumyl peroxide, together with untreated sisal fiber composites were used to set up different levels of interface bonding strength. The interface effects on the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of sisal fibre reinforced vinyl-ester composites were completely assessed based on the test results obtained and theoretical analyses. Many aspects of studies reported in this paper are original, such as single fiber pull-out tests and toughness evaluation of sisal composites aided by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that fibre surface treatment could improve interfacial bonding properties between sisal fibre and vinylester resin. These in turn influenced the fracture-mechanical characteristics of this class of ecocomposites.