The Combined Effect of Mercerisation, Silane Treatment and Acid Hydrolysis on the Mechanical Properties of Sisal Fibre/E
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MRS Advances © 2020 Materials Research Society DOI: 10.1557/adv.2020.122
The Combined Effect of Mercerisation, Silane Treatment and Acid Hydrolysis on the Mechanical Properties of Sisal Fibre/Epoxy Resin Composites Wilson Webo1, Maina Maringa2 and Leonard Masu1 1
Vaal University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Private Bag X021,Vanderbijlpark, AndriesPotgieter Blvd, 1911, South Africa
2
Central University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Private Bag X20539,Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT The effect of the combined chemical treatment of sisal fibres through the subsequent processes of mercerisation (alkali-treatment), then silane treatment and eventually acid hydrolysis, on sisal fibre were investigated. The effect of the treated fibres on the tensile strength and stiffness, flexural strength and stiffness, compression strength and shear strength of their composites with epoxy resin were also studied. Scanning electron microscopy studies of the surfaces of the treated and untreated fibres showed that the chemical treatment processes enhanced the removal of surface extractives and therefore increased the roughness of the surfaces of the fibres in the range of 20 % - 70 %. This avails an increased reinforcement surface area for interlocking with matrix and is, therefore, expected to enhance adhesion of the two. The treated fibre reinforced composites were observed to have higher values of tensile strength and stiffness, flexural strength and stiffness, compression strength and shear strength than the un-treated fibre reinforced composites. These higher values were attributed to better interfacial bonding due to better mechanical interlocking between the treated fibres and epoxy resin arising from the increased roughness of the treated fibres.
INTRODUCTION Natural fibres such as flax, hemp, jute, coir and sisal form a new class of materials which have good potential to be used in polymer composites [1-5]. The attractive features of these fibres are light weight, high specific modulus, non-toxicity, friendly processing and carbon dioxide sequesterisation[6-8]. These benchmark properties open the wide area for natural fibres to be used in composite sector with
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consequences for the partial replacement of traditional synthetic fibres [1-10]. However these green sources of fibres are not problem free. Their structural composition (such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin and waxy substance) allow moisture absorption from the environment which leads to poor bonding with matrix material [11, 12]. Cellulose gives the strength, stiffness and structural stability of fibre, and are the major framework compo
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