Hybrid Effect in the Mechanical Properties of Short Sisal/Glass Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) reinforced with intimately mixed short sisal and glass fibers were prepared by solution mixing technique. The mechanical properties of these composites have been investigated with reference to the effects of orientation and composition of fibers in them. It has been observed that the composites contining longitudinally oriented fibers exhibit better mechanical properties than those with randomly oriented ones. Also it is seen that the mechanical properties increase with increase in the volume fraction of glass fibers in the hybrid composites. The effict of chemical modification of sisal fibers on the properties of 50:50 sisal/glass fiber composites has also been studied. The hybrid effect was calculated by the additive rule of hybrid mixtures using the mechanical properties of individual composites. A positive hybrid effect was echibited by the composites for all the mechanical properties except for elongation at break.

Tensile Properties of Unsaturated Polyester-Based Sisal Fiber–Glass Fiber Hybrid Composites

“…Kalaprasad et al [6,7] have studied the low-density polyethylene-based short sisal-glass hybrid composites and found a considerable enhancement in the mechanical properties. Yang et al [8] studied the mechanical and interface properties of sisal-glass-fiber-reinforced PVC hybrid composites and found a positive hybrid effect for the impact strength.…”

Influence of Chemical Treatment on the Flexural Properties of Sisal Fiber Reinforced Resin Composites

“…1-(a), the flexural strength decreased with increased fiber content. This behavior is different than the relationship between strength and fiber content as can be expected according to the 'rule of mixtures' models [9]. In a flexural test, there is a combination of tensile and compressive stress.…”

Mechanical performance of polyethylene (PE)-based biocomposites

“…Hybrid composites are materials with two or more types of reinforcing phases or fillers (Panthapulakkal and Sain, 2007). Kalaprasad et al (1996) studied hybrid composites based on LDPE and two different reinforcements of natural (sisal) and synthetic (glass fiber) origins. The resulting products are thus a combination of the advantages of the different reinforcements used (reduced cost as well as improved mechanical and thermal properties) (Kretsis, 1987).…”