Effect of silanized sisal fiber on thermo-mechanical properties of reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

An effective method was adopted to improve the thermo-mechanical properties of the epoxy composite by functionalization of the sisal fiber. Initially, a neat sisal fiber was acetylated with molar solution of acidic mixture (0.5:1 of HNO3:H2SO4) that removed the content of lignin and hemicellulose and increased the crystallinity of the sisal fiber. The acetylated sisal ( a-sisal) fiber was further treated with 3-aminpropyltriethoxy silane to graft the silanol moieties on sisal fiber. The functionalization of the sisal fiber with 3-aminpropyltriethoxy silane exhibits the strong interaction with epoxy, resulting in homogenous dispersion of the sisal fiber in epoxy. The composite possesses great enhancement in thermal and mechanical properties. The tensile strength in functionalized sisal epoxy composite ( CP-f-Sisal) was significantly enhanced up to 23% in comparison to non-functionalized sisal epoxy composite ( CP-n-Sisal) by adding 15 wt.% of the sisal fiber. In addition, the functionalized sisal epoxy composite ( CP-f-sisal) shows better thermal stability as compared to non-functionalized sisal epoxy composite ( CP-n-sisal). Similar results are attributed by investigating the kinetics of thermal stability parameters that include activation energy and integral procedure decomposition temperature.

Study on the tribological properties of Si3N4/polyamide-imide composites

“…The difference in surfaces between the matrix and the filler is significant, resulting in non-uniform dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix. The reports of Akhtar M W 12 and Mughal M M 13 indicate that introducing functional groups on the surface of the filler can improve the interface between the matrix and the fiber, which is very important to enhance the performance of the composite material.…”

Tribological and Mechanical Performance of Epoxy Reinforced by Fish Scales Powder

“…Recent critical reviews about natural resource protection and recycling have led to renewed interest in biomaterials such as sisal [12], palm and jute fibers [13][14][15][16]. However, many researchers have mentioned a considerable improvement in the performance of composite fibers reinforced by plants fibers caused by the weak interfacial bonding between the hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic plants fibers like palm fibers and jute sisal [17].…”

Silicone Elastomer Composites Fabricated with MgO and MgO-Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes with Improved Thermal Conductivity

“…Use of polymeric materials has exponentially increased and polymers can extensively be used in fabrication of composite materials. Due to their promising insulating qualities, good thermal stability, high strength, sufficient mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and simplicity in fabrication, elastomers are the second most widely used thermoset polymers after polyester [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Besides these properties, there are few properties like thermal conductivity that are quite low and do not meet the requirements of many applications.…”