Interfacial Characteristics of Sisal Fiber and Polymeric Matrices

Abstract

Sisal-fiber-reinforced composites, as a class of eco-composites, have attracted much attention from materials scientists and engineers in recent years. In this article, the effects of fiber surface treatment on fiber tensile strength and fiber-matrix interface characteristics were determined by using tensile and single fiber pullout tests, respectively. The short beam shear test was also employed to evaluate the interlaminar shear strength of the composite laminates. Vinyl ester, epoxy, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were chosen as matrix materials. To enhance the interfacial strength, two kinds of fiber surface-treatment methods, namely, chemical bonding and oxidisation, were used. The results obtained showed that different fiber surface-treatment methods produced different effects on the tensile strength of the sisal fiber and fiber-matrix interfacial bonding characteristics. Hence, valuable information on the interface design of sisal fiber–polymer matrix composites can be obtained from this study.

Keywords:

• Eco-composites
• Fiber-matrix interface
• Natural fiber
• Shear strength
• Sisal fiber

One of collection of papers honoring Hugh R. Brown, who received The Adhesion Society Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science, Sponsored by 3M, in February 2006.

Notes

^a Data obtained from Ashland Chemical Pty. Ltd.

^b Data obtained from Shell Chemical Company.

^c Data obtained from Hoechst Australia Limited.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yan Li

Present address of Yan Li is School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.