Mechanical and Water Absorption Characteristics of Sisal Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composite

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fiber loading on mechanical and water absorption characteristics of composites made from sisal fiber and polypropylene matrix targeted for use in bathroom wall tile applications. The amount of fiber content in the composites was varied from 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% to 50% by weight. The composites were manufactured by melt-mixing method. The effects of fiber loading on various composite characteristics were investigated using tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, compressive strength, and water absorption. With the increase of fiber content, properties, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and compressive strength increases up to optimum level, whilst decrement in these properties were observed after the optimal level. The maximum tensile strength of 52.69 MPa, tensile modulus of 1.1 GPa, flexural strength of 127.8 MPa, flexural modulus of 6.22 GPa, impact strength of 10.195 KJ/m² and compressive strength 137.7 MPa were obtained. Water absorption rate increased with increase in the fiber weight proportion due to the hydrophilic character of the sisal fiber. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that the optimal mechanical and water absorption properties were achieved at 30% fiber content.

摘要

本研究的目的是研究纤维负载量对剑麻纤维和聚丙烯基复合材料力学和吸水性能的影响, 该复合材料用于浴室墙砖. 复合材料中纤维含量的变化范围为10%, 20%, 30%和40%–50% (按重量计). 采用熔融混合法制备了复合材料. 通过拉伸强度, 拉伸模量, 弯曲强度, 弯曲模量, 冲击强度, 抗压强度和吸水率, 研究了纤维负载对各种复合材料特性的影响. 随着纤维含量的增加, 拉伸强度, 拉伸模量, 弯曲强度, 弯曲模量, 冲击强度和抗压强度等性能会增加到最佳水平, 而在最佳水平后, 这些性能会下降. 其最大拉伸强度为52.69MPa, 拉伸模量为1.1GPa, 弯曲强度为127.8MPa, 弯曲模量为6.22GPa, 冲击强度为10.195 kJ/m2, 抗压强度为137.7MPa. 由于剑麻纤维的亲水性, 吸水率随着纤维重量比的增加而增加. 从本研究结果可以得出结论, 当纤维含量为30%时, 可获得最佳的机械和吸水性能.

KEYWORDS:

• Sisal fiber
• polypropylene
• tensile properties
• flexural properties
• impact strength
• compressive strength
• water absorption
• composite

Keywords:

• 关键词
• 剑麻纤维
• 聚丙烯
• 拉伸性能
• 弯曲性能
• 冲击强度
• 抗压强度
• 吸水率
• 混合成的

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia for providing funding and laboratory facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).