Mechanical, electrical, and thermal analysis of sisal fibril/kenaf fiber hybrid polyester composites

Abstract

A novel hybrid composition of sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers has been introduced first time as reinforcement in composite preparation for the environmental friendly high strength electrical insulation applications. Hybrid reinforcement was increased from 10 to 40 wt% in unsaturated polyester resin. The sisal fibril used in this study was extracted from sisal fiber. Alkali treatment was employed and FTIR analysis was done to study its effect on sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers. A positive hybridization effect was observed for the composites. Hybrid composite showed 24 and 18% increase in tensile strength, 30 and 36.4% increase in flexural strength, and 196.3 and 196% increase in impact strength as compared to the composites having same loading of 40 wt% with sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured mechanical testing samples was carried out to understand the nature of fibril/fiber/matrix interface. Electrical characterization showed high electrical insulation capability of the hybrid composites. Thermal stability of hybrid composites was also found higher than sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers reinforced composites. A comparative study of properties of sisal fibril/kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid polyester composites with various single and hybrid fiber composites is done. It has been concluded that the developed novel hybrid composite has the potential to replace various existing natural and synthetic fiber composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:664–676, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Mechanical properties and water absorption of kenaf/pineapple leaf fiber‐reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites

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“…[11] In spite of these advantages, the main challenges of using natural fibers include incompatibility with thermoplastic matrix, relatively low strength, batch-to-batch variability, and high moisture sensitivity. [12][13][14][15] Therefore, it is necessary to remedy the shortcomings through chemical treatments to modify the fiber structure in order to achieve the exemplary mechanical properties as well as reduce the moisture uptake. However, hybridization is considered as another efficient method to improve the mechanical strength and reduce moisture sensitivity.…”

Physico‐mechanical properties of tamarind pod shell‐based composite

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Effect of Fibers Alkali Treatment on Thermal Behaviour of Curauá/ Polyester Composites

“…Achieving a fiber/matrix adhesion, the natural fibers are usually exposed to a chemical treatment to increase the fiber contact region with a polymer. Alkali, silane, acetylation, and benzoylation can be mentioned as chemical reagents most used to treat the surface of the natural fibers [6][7]. This increase in adhesion occurs due to the modification of the fiber structure and chemical composition.…”

“…This increase in adhesion occurs due to the modification of the fiber structure and chemical composition. As a result, the hydrophilic nature of fiber is reduced, and its compatibility with the matrix increases once the surface roughness of the fiber also increases [5][6][7]. A wide variety of products to produce polymeric composites is commercially available, and the polyester resin is applied as the main material [9][10].…”