Effect of chemical treatment on dynamic mechanical properties of sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

Authors: Sreekumar, P.A.¹; Saiah, Redouan²; Saiter, Jean Marc³; Leblanc, Nathalie²; Joseph, Kuruvilla⁴; Unnikrishnan, G.⁵; Thomas, Sabu⁶

Source: Composite Interfaces, Volume 15, Numbers 2-3, 2008 , pp. 263-279(17)

Publisher: VSP, an imprint of Brill

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Abstract:

The dynamic mechanical properties of treated sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM) have been studied with reference to fiber surface modifications, frequency and temperature. The sisal fibers have been subjected to various chemical and physical treatments like mercerization, heating at 100°C, permanganate, benzoylation and vinyl tris(2-ethoxymethoxy) silane to improve the interfacial bonding with isophthalic polyester resin. Results indicated that treatment changed the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (tan δ) drastically at a wide range of temperature. The E′ value increased for every treatment, and is maximum for the composites fabricated by benzoylated-treated fibers. The T_g value obtained from the E″ value showed an increase as compared to untreated fiber-reinforced composites. The alkali-treated fiber-reinforced composites showed lower tan δ value. Using Arrhenius' equation the activation energy was calculated and found maximum for the composites fabricated by alkali-treated fiber, which shows good fiber/matrix interactions.

Keywords: DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS; RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING; SISAL FIBER; CHEMICAL MODIFICATION

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: National Institute of Technology Calicut, NIT Campus P O, Calicut, Kerala-673601, India; Laboratoire Polymères, Biopolymères et Membranes, Unité CNRS 6522, équipe LECAP, Institut des Matériaux Rouen, Université de Rouen, Faculté des Sciences, Avenue de L'université BP 12, 76801 Saint Etienne du Rouvray, France 2: Laboratoire de Génie des Matériaux de l'Aliment (LGMA), Esitpa, Rue Grande, BP 607 - 27, 106 Val de Reuil Cedex, France 3: Laboratoire Polymères, Biopolymères et Membranes, Unité CNRS 6522, équipe LECAP, Institut des Matériaux Rouen, Université de Rouen, Faculté des Sciences, Avenue de L'université BP 12, 76801 Saint Etienne du Rouvray, France 4: Department of Chemistry, St. Berchmans' College, Changanacherry P O, Kottayam, Kerala, India 5: National Institute of Technology Calicut, NIT Campus P O, Calicut, Kerala-673601, India 6: School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills P O, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$25.00 plus tax Refund Policy

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.