Interfacial Characteristics of Sisal Fiber and Polymeric Matrices

Authors: Li, Yan; Mai, Yiu-Wing

Source: Journal of Adhesion, Volume 82, Number 5, May 2006 , pp. 527-554(28)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $56.94 plus tax (Refund Policy)

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

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00218460600713840

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Advanced Materials Technology (CAMT), School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Publication date: 2006-05-01