Development and physico‐mechanical behavior of LDPE–sisal prepreg‐based composites

Abstract

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-coated sisal fiber prepreg was prepared by using solution coating process. These coated fiber prepregs were consolidated to make composites having different weight fraction of sisal fibers in a hot compression-molding machine. This experimental study reveals that higher loading of sisal fiber up to 57wt% in LDPE-sisal composites is possible by this technique. Mechanical and abrasive wear characteristics of these composites were determined. The tensile strength of composites increased with the increase in sisal fiber concentration. Coating thickness of LDPE was varied by changing the viscosity of LDPE-xylene solution that manifested to different weight fraction of fiber in sisal-LDPE composites. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and abrasive wear characteristics of these composites were determined. The tensile strength and modulus of sisal composites reached to 17.4 and 265 MPa, respectively, as compared to 7.1 and 33MPa of LDPE. Storage modulus of sisal composites LD57 reached to 2.7 3 10 9 MPa at 408C as compared to 8.1 3 10 8 MPa of LDPE. Abrasive wear properties of LDPE and its composites were determined under multi-pass mode; pure LDPE showed minimum specific wear rate. The specific wear rate of composites decreased with the sliding distance. Increase of coated sisal fiber content increased the specific wear rate at all the sliding distances, which has been explained on the basis of worn surface microstructures observed by using SEM. POLYM. COM-POS., 34:650-655, 2013. ª FIG. 2. Variation of storage modulus (E 0 ) and loss modulus (E 00 ) against temperature. FIG. 3. Plot for specific wear rate versus sliding distance for different samples under multi-pass mode.

Lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites: Progress, performance, properties, applications, and future perspectives

“…The increased content of sisal fiber in the composites enhanced the mechanical properties and the specific wear rate at all sliding distances. [285] Magalhães et al prepared polypropylene (PP) composites with peach heart palm sheath, using a single screw extruder. The results indicated that this type of composites could be a potential candidate in many conventional applications to replace wood and composites based on synthetic fibers.…”

Review of the applications of biocomposites in the automotive industry

“…However, with continued research and development in this area, the scoop is fast expanding to more structural parts like seat frames, load floors, pick‐up beds, floor pans, drive train, and steering components. Studies have shown that natural fiber‐reinforced composites can be applied to where high strength, high stiffness, and low component weight are required . An investigation into the mechanical properties of sisal, abaca, hemp, coir, kenaf, and jute fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites , showed an increase in the tensile strength and modulus with increasing fiber volume fraction.…”

Research Trends in Carbon Chain Polymers and Their Derivatives: Highlighting the Decade‐Long Research

“…), and morphological properties (shape, size, structure etc.). [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] The tensile strength and Young's modulus of PE are enhanced after silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles are added to PE. [19] Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene with its rare mechanical and electrical properties becomes a potential candidate to be applied for diverse applications.…”