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The Combined Effect of Mercerisation, Silane Treatment and Acid Hydrolysis on the Mechanical Properties of Sisal Fibre/Epoxy Resin Composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2020

Wilson Webo ,
Maina Maringa  and
Leonard Masu
Wilson Webo*
Affiliation:
Vaal University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Private Bag X021,Vanderbijlpark, AndriesPotgieter Blvd, 1911, South Africa
Maina Maringa
Affiliation:
Central University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Private Bag X20539,Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
Leonard Masu
Affiliation:
Vaal University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Private Bag X021,Vanderbijlpark, AndriesPotgieter Blvd, 1911, South Africa
*
*Corresponding author: wilsonwebo@yahoo.com
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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.

Keywords

polymerfibercompositeinterfacestrength

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MRS Advances , Volume 5 , Issue 23-24: African Materials Research Society 2019 , 2020 , pp. 1225 - 1233
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Copyright © Materials Research Society 2020

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