Sisal fiber‐reinforced green composites: Effect of ecofriendly fiber treatment

Abstract

This research endeavor explores the effect of economical and environment‐friendly treatment of sisal fibers, prior to their incorporation into poly‐lactic acid (PLA). Biocomposites incorporating sisal fibers (30% [w:w]) treated with sodium bicarbonate (10% [w:v]) aqueous solution for varying time periods (24, 72, 120, and 168 h) were developed using extrusion‐injection molding process. Thermogravimetric analysis, morphological examination, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and lignocellulosic composition analysis of raw and treated sisal fibers established a gradual removal of hemicellulosic content from fiber surface with increasing treatment time. Biocomposites incorporating sisal fibers treated for 72 h exhibited optimum tensile, flexural, and compressive properties. While in case of impact testing, biocomposites incorporating sisal fibers treated for 24 h exhibited maximum impact strength. The optimum results were found comparable to sodium hydroxide treated sisal fiber‐reinforced biocomposites. Hence, considering commercialization of biocomposites, sodium bicarbonate treatment offers huge potential to substitute ecologically hazardous sodium hydroxide treatment ensuring good mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4310–4321, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Dynamic Mechanical Behavior Analysis of Flax/Jute Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Salt-Fog Spray Environment

“…This result indicates that composites reinforced with untreated Jute fibers (i.e., Jute-AR) are characterized by better fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion than surface treated ones (i.e., Jute-T) [47]. Due to the soaking of jute fibers in the NaHCO 3 solution, a reduction of lignin and hemicellulose components from the fiber bulk occurred [44], thus favoring the triggering of damage phenomena at the interface.…”

“…To overcome this problem, an eco-friendly and cost-effective treatment consisting of the immersion of natural fibers in sodium bicarbonate solution was investigated in the last years by several researchers [32,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49]. In particular, they showed that the interaction between the mildly alkaline solution and the fiber surface is considered similar to that of traditional alkalization treatment [43].…”

Lowering in water absorption capacity and mechanical degradation of sisal/epoxy composite by sodium bicarbonate treatment and PLA coating

“…An improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of hemp/polyester composites was found by sodium bicarbonate treatment . Chaitanya and Singh reported that mechanical and thermal properties were enhanced of sisal/polylactic acid (PLA) composites by sodium bicarbonate treatment and also concluded that sodium bicarbonate treatment has potential to replace NaOH treatment. A similar type of study was performed by Fiore et al in which mechanical properties of sisal/epoxy composites were enhanced by this eco‐friendly treatment.…”

Impact of Surface Treatment of Flax Fibers on Tensile Mechanical Properties Accompanied by A Statistical Study

“…This sector is more and more interested in plant fibers in order to use renewable and perennial materials or in secondary structures in applications that respond to the concern for the preservation of the environment. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. All natural fibers are composed of Cellulose, hemicelluloses and Lignin, these elements have an impact on the mechanical propertiess [23][24][25][26].…”