Showing papers on "SISAL published in 2004"
TL;DR: In this article, a new natural fibres/polypropylene composites were made and the water absorption in them was studied by immersion of the composites in water at three different temperatures, 23, 50 and 70 °C, and the process of absorption of water was found to follow the kinetics and mechanisms described by Fick's theory.
Abstract: Environmentally beneficial composites can be made by replacing glass fibres with various types of cellulose fibres. Fibres from pine or eucalyptus wood and also one-year crops such as coir, sisal, etc. are all good candidates. The poor resistance towards water absorption is one of the drawbacks of natural fibres/polypropylene composites. New natural fibres/polypropylene composites were made and the water absorption in them was studied by immersion of the composites in water at three different temperatures, 23, 50 and 70 °C. The process of absorption of water was found to follow the kinetics and mechanisms described by Fick's theory. In addition, the diffusivity coefficient was dependent on the temperature as estimated by means of Arrhenius law. A decrease in tensile properties of the composites was demonstrated, showing a great loss in mechanical properties of the water-saturated samples compared to the dry samples. The morphology change was monitored by scanning electron microscopy studies of the samples before and after exposure to water and the devastating effect of water on the fibre structure was shown.
795 citations
TL;DR: The effects of concentration and modification of fiber surface in sisal/oil palm hybrid fiber reinforced rubber composites have been studied in this paper, where the rubber/fiber interface was improved by the addition of a resorcinol-hexamethylene tetramine bonding system.
642 citations
TL;DR: The use of lignocellulosic fibers, pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and sisal as reinforcements in thermoplastic and thermosetting resins for developing low cost and lightweight composites is an emerging field of research in polymer science and technology as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Summary: The use of lignocellulosic fibers, pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and sisal as reinforcements in thermoplastic and thermosetting resins for developing low cost and lightweight composites is an emerging field of research in polymer science and technology. Although, these biofibers have several advantages, such as low densities, low cost, nonabrasive nature, high filling level possible, low energy consumption, high specific properties, biodegradability, etc., over synthetic fibers, the absorption of moisture by untreated biofibers, poor wettability, and insufficient adhesion between the polymer matrix and fiber deteriorate the mechanical properties of composites made up of these biofibers. Therefore, the modification of these fibers is a key area of research at present to obtain optimum fiber-matrix properties. This review article is concerned with the structure, composition and properties of PALF and sisal, the chemical modifications of these fibers and PALF/sisal-reinforced thermosets, thermoplastics, rubber, cement, hybrids and biocomposites.
Scanning electron micrograph of tensile fractured surface of alkali treated sisal fiber (magnification ×500).
347 citations
TL;DR: Batchwise digestion of sisal pulp and fish waste was studied both with the wastes separately and with mixtures in various proportions, showing an increase in the methane yield as compared to that obtained from the digestion of pure fractions at 5% TS.
291 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed thermal analysis of cellulose derivatives/starch blends with different sisal short fiber content under dynamic conditions and found that the addition of the sisal fibres has not produced a high effect on the thermal degradation of the composites materials in comparison with the matrix alone.
245 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a hybrid composites consisting of polypropylene (PP) and short sisal fibers were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding, and various types of chemical treatments such as alkali treatment were applied.
Abstract: Hybrid composites consisting of polypropylene (PP) and short sisal fibers were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression molding. Various types of chemical treatments such as alkali treatment...
195 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the susceptibility of polycaprolactone/starch (PCL/S) and sisal fiber-reinforced PCL/S blends to different degrading environments was evaluated and the composites and the unfilled matrix showed hydrolytic stability at pH 7.2 at two different temperatures.
166 citations
Book•
15 Apr 2004
TL;DR: Jute Flax Hemp Ramie Sisal and Henequen Coir Abaca Pineapple, Curaua Craua (Caroa), Macambira Nettle Sunn Hemp Mauritius hemp and Fique Bast and leaf fibre composite materials List of fibre producing plants as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Jute Flax Hemp Ramie Sisal and Henequen Coir Abaca Pineapple, Curaua Craua (Caroa), Macambira Nettle Sunn Hemp Mauritius hemp and Fique Bast and leaf fibre composite materials List of fibre producing plants.
143 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of the relative composition of short sisal/glass fibres, their length and distribution on the tensile properties of SGRP was examined and the nature and extent of chemical modifications were analysed by infrared spectroscopy while improvement in fibre-matrix adhesion was checked by studying the fractography of composite samples using a scanning electron microscope.
Abstract: Hybrid composites prepared by the incorporation of two or more different types of fibres into a single polymer matrix deserve much attention. This method of hybridisation of composites offers a profitable procedure for the fabrication of products while the resulting materials are noted for their high specific strength, modulus and thermal stability. The influence of the relative composition of short sisal/glass fibres, their length and distribution on the tensile properties of short sisal/glass intimately mixed polyethylene composites (SGRP) was examined. Different compositions of sisal and glass such as 70/30, 50/50 and 30/70 have been prepared with varying fibre lengths in the range of 1–10 mm. Emphasis has also been given to the variation of fibre–matrix adhesion with several fibre chemical modifications. Chemical surface modifications such as alkali, acetic anhydride, stearic acid, permanganate, maleic anhydride, silane and peroxides given to the fibres and matrix were found to be successful in improving the interfacial adhesion and compatibility between the fibre and matrix. The nature and extent of chemical modifications were analysed by infrared spectroscopy while improvement in fibre–matrix adhesion was checked by studying the fractography of composite samples using a scanning electron microscope. Assessment of water retention values has been found to be a successful tool to characterize the surface of the stearic acid modified fibres. It was found that the extent of improvement in tensile properties of SGRP varied with respect to the nature of chemical modifications between fibre and matrix. Improved mechanical anchoring and physical and chemical bonding between fibre and polyethylene matrix are supposed to be the reasons for superior tensile strength and Young's modulus in treated composites. Several secondary reasons such as high degree of fibre dispersion and reduced hydrophilicity in chemically modified fibres also are believed to play a role. Among the various chemical modifications, the best tensile strength and modulus was exhibited by the SGRP with benzoyl peroxide treated fibres. This is attributed to the peroxide-initiated grafting of polyethylene on to the fibres. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
140 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact strength and compressive strength of unsaturated polyester based sisal/glass hybrid composites with fiber loading have been studied, and no significant improvement in impact strength of these hybrid composite has been observed by NaOH treatment and trimethoxy silane (coupling agent) treatment.
Abstract: The variations of impact strength and compressive strength of unsaturated polyester based sisal/glass hybrid composites with fiber loading have been studied. The impact strength of these hybrid composites has been found to be higher than that of the matrix, whereas a marginal decrease was observed in the compressive strength of the hybrid composites over that of the matrix. The effects of NaOH treatment and trimethoxy silane (coupling agent) treatment on the impact and compressive properties of these sisal/glass hybrid composites have also been studied. No significant improvement in impact strength of the sisal/glass hybrid composites has been observed by these treatments, whereas a marginal increase in compressive strength of these hybrid composites has been observed.
121 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of chemical treatment on morphology, physical and chemical properties and tensile properties of fibres and composites were determined, and the results observed are supported by SEM analysis of the composite materials and the fibres.
Abstract: Biocomposites were produced using polycaprolactone (PCL) and starch as the matrix, and washed and treated sisal fibres as reinforcement. The matrix consists of a biodegradable product commercially known as MaterBi-Z®, which is based on a PCL, starch and additive.Alkaline and acetylation treatments were performed on the fibre in order to enhance the adhesion degree and the compatibility between the fibre and the matrix. The effect of chemical treatment on morphology, physical and chemical properties and tensile properties of fibres and composites were determined. Tensile properties of the biodegradable composite were improved by the presence of the fibre. However, the untreated fibres behaved as better reinforcement than the acetylated and alkalitreated fibres. This was attributed to an impairment of the mechanical properties of the acetylated fibres and incompatibility of the alkali-treated fibres. The results observed are supported by SEM analysis of fibres and the composite materials.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of fiber length on the mechanical properties of rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers were studied, and the extent of fiber alignment and the strength of the fiber-rubber interface adhesion were analyzed from the anisotropic swelling measurements.
Abstract: Natural rubber was reinforced with untreated sisal and oil palm fibers chopped to different fiber lengths. The influence of fiber length on the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites was determined. Increasing the fiber length resulted in a decrease in the properties. The effects of concentration on the rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers were studied. Increasing the concentration of fibers resulted in a reduction in the tensile strength properties and tear strength but an increase in the modulus of the composites. Fiber breakage analysis was evaluated. The vulcanization parameters, processability characteristics, and stress–strain properties of these composites were analyzed. The extent of fiber alignment and the strength of the fiber–rubber interface adhesion were analyzed from the anisotropic swelling measurements. Scanning electron microscopy studies were performed to analyze the fiber/matrix interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2305–2312, 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of humidity on the diffusion coefficients, equilibrium moisture content, and mechanical properties of composite composites were studied, and different model predictions of the composite diffusion coefficients as a function of the filler concentration were also examined.
Abstract: The matrix of the composites that were used in this work was a commercial blend based on starch and cellulose derivatives. The biodegradable polymer was reinforced by short-sisal fibers with a range in fiber content of 5–15 wt %. The effects of humidity on the diffusion coefficients, equilibrium moisture content, and mechanical properties were studied. Equations obtained from microscopic mass balances for diffusion in solids were used to predict the absorbed humidity in both components (the sisal fibers and biodegradable polymer) and in the composites as a function of time. Different model predictions of the composite diffusion coefficients as a function of the filler concentration were also examined, and they were found to be in agreement with the experimental results. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 4007–4016, 2004
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a master curve with the Arrhenius model to determine the creep resistance at longer times and different temperatures, leading to a relationship between the observed creep behavior and the composite morphology.
Abstract: Biodegradable composites based on cellulose derivatives/starch blends reinforced with sisal short fibers were fabricated by injection molding. Results of short-term flexural creep tests are reported to investigate the time-dependence behavior of the composites. Fiber content and temperature effects are also considered, taking into account various methods and equations. At short times, a creep power law is employed. A master curve with the Arrhenius model is used to determine the creep resistance at longer times and different temperatures. Good fitting of the experimental results with the four-parameter model is reported, leading to a relationship between the observed creep behavior and the composite morphology. The addition of sisal fibers to the polymeric matrix promotes a significant improvement of the composite creep resistance. Polym. Compos. 25:280–288, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the degradation behavior of self-reinforced sisal composites was evaluated with reference to the effects of ageing in water, enzyme solution and soil, respectively.
TL;DR: In this paper, a methodology for applying conventional morphological characterization techniques to some of the manufacturing processes of natural fibre reinforced thermoplastics (NFRTPs) is described, where the composites consisted of a matrix of polypropylene or polyethylene, and of discrete jute, sisal and other natural fibres as the reinforcement.
Abstract: In this paper we describe a methodology for applying conventional morphological characterization techniques to some ofthe manufacturing processes ofnatural fibre reinforced thermoplastics (NFRTP) The composites studied consisted of a matrix of polypropylene or polyethylene, and of discrete jute, sisal and other natural fibres as the reinforcement Different microscopic techniques have been used to characterize the processing stages and the structure-property relationships during the manufacture ofNFRTPs using single screw extrusion, compression and rotational moulding Important issues in the processing of discrete fibre composites, such as fibre length distributions, fibre orientation and overall fibre dispersion in the matrix have been studied Transcrystallinity in the case PP/sisal and PP/jute composites has also been reported In all cases the characterization procedures described here are related to the manufacturing processes studied in each particular case In fact, a systematic approach to morphological characterization is presented in this study We believe that all or some of techniques discussed here could be implemented as quality control procedures in the manufacturing of products using NFRTPs
TL;DR: In this article, the variations of flexural strength and flexural modulus of unsaturated polyester-based sisal/glass hybrid composites with fiber content have been studied.
Abstract: The variations of flexural strength and flexural modulus of unsaturated polyester-based sisal/glass hybrid composites with fiber content have been studied. The hybrid composites showed an increase in flexural properties with glass fiber loading. The effects of alkali treatment and silane treatment of fibers on the flexural properties of these sisal/glass hybrid composites have also been studied. No significant effect on the flexural properties has been observed by silane treatment but a small increase in these properties has been observed by alkali treatment.
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: The natural fiber containing composites are used in transportation (automobiles, railway coaches, aero-space), military applications, building and construction industries (ceiling paneling, partition boards), packaging, and consumer products.
Abstract: Plants, such as flax, cotton, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, coir, pineapple, ramie, bamboo, banana, as well as wood, are a source of lignocellulosic fibers. Their availability, renewability, low density and price as well as satisfactory mechanical properties make them attractive reinforcing fibers in the manufacture of composites. The natural fiber containing composites are used in transportation (automobiles, railway coaches, aero-space), military applications, building and construction industries (ceiling paneling, partition boards), packaging, and consumer products.
TL;DR: In this paper, composites made from powdered tire rubber and sisal fiber were prepared by hot-press molding and investigated by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and tensile properties.
Abstract: The world tendency toward using recycled materials demands new products from vegetable resources and waste polymers. In this work, composites made from powdered tire rubber (average particle size: 320 μm) and sisal fiber were prepared by hot-press molding and investigated by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and tensile properties. The effects of fiber length and content, chemical treatments, and temperature on dynamic mechanical and tensile properties of such composites were studied. The results showed that mercerization/acetylation treatment of the fibers improves composite performance. Under the conditions investigated the optimum fiber length obtained for the tire rubber matrix was 10 mm. Storage and loss moduli both increased with increasing fiber content. The results of this study are encouraging, demonstrating that the use of tire rubber and sisal fiber in composites offers promising potential for nonstructural applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 670–677, 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, argon and air-plasma treatments have been used to modify the fiber surfaces under suitable treatment parameters to improve the compatibility between sisal fibres and polypropylene (PP).
Abstract: In recent years, sisal fibres have become a promising reinforcement for composites because of their low cost, low density, high specific strength, high specific modulus, easy availability and renewability. However, the poor adhesion between the hydrophilic sisal fibre and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices has adversely affected the widespread use of these composites. In this study, argon and air-plasma treatments have been used to modify the fibre surfaces under suitable treatment parameters to improve the compatibility between sisal fibres and polypropylene (PP). Sisal fibres and PP fibres are blended together to form a random mat which is then vacuum hot-pressed into a preimpregnated composite sheet. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, and the storage modulus of the composite sheets improve after the incorporation of plasma-treated fibres. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal the increased surface roughness of sisal fibre. ...
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of sisal fibre content and different concentrations of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) on the thermal, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of short sisal fiber composites was investigated.
Abstract: Influence of sisal fibre content and different concentrations of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) on the thermal, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of short sisal fibre—linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites was investigated. Significant improvement of tensile strength was found after peroxide induced grafting between fibres and PE matrix. The stress relaxation measurements also suggest better stability upon prolonged loading of the samples prepared with 1% of DCP. It was shown, on the other hand, that higher DCP concentrations could have detrimental effects on the PE matrix, especially at low fibre contents.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the water absorption process of the short-time process of a fully biodegradable composite, which is important in order to know the effect of water uptake on the mechanical properties before the polymer is hydrolysed.
Abstract: The water absorption process of the short-time process of a fully biodegradable composite is important in order to know the effect of water uptake on the mechanical properties before the polymer is hydrolysed. The matrix of the studied composites is a commercial blend based on starch and cellulose derivatives, named MaterBi-Y. The effect of the fibre content was also taken into account, because short sisal fibres’ content was changed from 5 to 15 wt%. Diffusion coefficients, the equilibrium water uptake and the flexural properties were determined during sorption experiments at different bath temperatures: 5, 25 and 60 C. Equations obtained from microscopic mass balances for diffusion in solids were used to model the water absorption of these composites as a function of immersion time.
TL;DR: In this paper, anisotropic swelling studies were carried out to analyse the extent of fibre alignment and fibre-matrix interaction in sisal/coir hybrid fiber reinforced natural rubber (NR) composites.
Abstract: Interfacial adhesion of sisal/coir hybrid fibre reinforced natural rubber (NR) composites has been characterized by restricted equilibrium swelling technique with special reference to the effects of fibre loading, orientation and bonding agent. The swelling parameters of NR composites with and without bonding agent were evaluated with three aromatic solvents, namely; benzene, toluene and xylene, by a sorption gravimetric method. As fibre content and penetrant size increase, the solvent uptake has been found to decrease due to the increased hindrance and good fibre–rubber interaction. The bonding agent added mixes showed enhanced restriction to swelling and it is seen that the ratio of change in volume fraction of rubber before and after swelling to the volume fraction of rubber before swelling (V 0 – V r/V 0) is lower for bonding agent added composites, when compared to an unbonded one. The anisotropic swelling studies were carried out to analyse the extent of fibre alignment and fibre–matrix interaction....
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, sisal fiber was used as a reinforcing agent of phenolic and lignophenolic matrices, increasing the impact strength up to 35 fold in relation to that obtained with thermoset composites.
Abstract: Alkali and ionized air treated and untreated lignocellulosic fibers, such as sisal, jute and curaua, were used to reinforce phenolic and lignophenolic matrix materials. The results favor sisal fiber for its excellent performance as a reinforcing agent of phenolic and lignophenolic matrices, increasing the impact strength up to 35 fold in relation to that obtained with thermoset composites. The use of lignin as a partial substitute for phenol in closed cell lignophenolic foams reduces the thermal conductivity and allows classifying the lignophenolic foam as a thermal isolating structural foam.
TL;DR: Mercerization and acetylation treatments were applied to sisal fibers to enhance adhesion with polymer matrices in composites and caused changes in the fiber surface but did not damage the fiber structure because the fibrils remained joined in a bundle.
Abstract: Mercerization and acetylation treatments were applied to sisal fibers to enhance adhesion with polymer matrices in composites. The structures of the untreated and treated fibers were assessed with scanning electron microscopy. The waste from sisal-fiber decortication consisted of mechanical, ribbon, and xylem fibers, and their ultimate cells varied considerably in size and shape. After mercerization and acetylation, the fibers and conductive-vessel surfaces were successfully changed. The parenchyma cells were partially removed, and the fibrils started to split, because of the alkali action. This increased the effective surface area available for contact with the matrix. The mercerized and acetylated fibers were coated with cellulose acetate by the grafting of the acetyl group in the fibrils. The treatment used to remove lignin and hemicellulose caused changes in the fiber surface but did not damage the fiber structure because the fibrils remained joined in a bundle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2333–2340, 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative study on the impact and tensile properties of polyester/sisal fiber reinforced composites was undertaken, and the results obtained show that strength or toughness could be tailored, and although none of the composites manufactured with the modified polyester matrices showed a significant improvement on the fiber-matrix interface strength, a better compromise was obtained with the silane modified matrix.
Abstract: In this work a comparative study on the impact and tensile properties of polyester/sisal fiber reinforced composites was undertaken. The polyester matrix was used bare and modified with: (1) a silane coupling agent; (2) a flame retardant system; and (3) a blend of the silane agent and the flame retardant system. The experimental results show that the flame retardant acts as a particulate reinforcement to the polyester matrix and the silane coupling agent acts as a plasticizer. The simultaneous addition of these two compounds to the polyester resin tended to decrease the performance of the composites. The results obtained show that strength or toughness could be tailored, and although none of the composites manufactured with the modified polyester matrices showed a significant improvement on the fiber–matrix interface strength, a better compromise between impact and tensile properties was obtained with the silane modified matrix. The critical fiber volume fraction was also evaluated and shown to be less than 10% for the sisal–polyester composite investigated here. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1209–1217, 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the natural and maleic anhydride esterified fibers of banana, hemp, and sisal are used as reinforcers in novolac resin in the ratio of 40:60 (wt/wt) respectively.
Abstract: In the present work the natural and maleic anhydride esterified fibers of banana, hemp, and sisal are used as reinforcers in novolac resin in the ratio of 40:60 (wt/wt) respectively. Absorption of water and steam in these wood/polymer composites is studied. The absorption of water increases with increase in time from 2 to 30 h in all fiber composites tested. Amongst all the composites, the maximum absorption of water is found in hemp fiber composite and the minimum in maleic anhydride treated sisal fiber composite. The maleic anhydride esterified fiber composite shows less absorption of water than the untreated fiber composites. Amongst all six composites, steam absorption is maximum in untreated hemp fiber composite and minimum in maleic anhydride treated banana fiber composite. Steam absorption in maleic anhydride treated fiber composites is higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam in comparison to maleic anhydride treated fiber composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 23: 46–50, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10073
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of the reaction conditions, such as alkalinity, temperature and the extent of benzylation, was studied in detail, and structural characteristics, melt flow and mechanical properties of the modified sisal and their composite sheets were analyzed.
Abstract: SUMMARY To prepare self-reinforced sisal composites, sisal fibers were cleaned, treated with NaOH solution, and then benzylated with benzyl chloride. In this way, the skin layers of the fibers were converted into thermoplastic material while the core of the fiber cells remained unchanged. Under the circumstances of hot pressing, self-reinforced all-plant fiber composites of sisal can be prepared, in which plasticised sisal serves as matrix and the unplasticised cores of the fibers as reinforcement. In this work the effect of the reaction conditions, such as alkalinity, temperature and the extent of benzylation, was studied in detail. The roles of quaternary ammonium salts and γ-ray irradiation treatment on the efficiency of benzylation were also taken into account. In addition, structural characteristics, melt flow and mechanical properties of the modified sisal and their composite sheets were analysed. It was found that a balance between melt processability and the reinforcing effect of the benzylated sisal fibers was required.
TL;DR: In this paper, a reinforced carbon material is obtained by a controlled pyrolysis from lignophenolic matrix/bagasse and lign-phenolic/sisal polymeric composites.
Abstract: Thermoset polymers (phenolic and lignophenolic) are used as matrix materials for polymeric composites. A great deal of effort has been done in order to use vegetal fibers, obtained from sugarcane bagasse and sisal, to reinforce such matrices, because they are readily available and they are renewable resources. Carbon reinforced materials are usually obtained by using high strength carbon fibers for high-tech demanding aerospace and aeronautical uses. Phenolic type resins are commonly used as carbon matrix source for such applications. In this work a reinforced carbon material is obtained by a controlled pyrolysis from lignophenolic matrix/bagasse and lignophenolic/sisal polymeric composites. The ex-vegetable fibers carbon composites were analyzed by flexural tests. The conversion of the vegetable fiber into a carbon fiber takes place in situ all over the matrix material resulting in carbon reinforced materials having a flexural strength as high as 21 MPa and flexural modulus in the range of 11–13...
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of low-cost natural fibers, available in developing countries, have been studied as replacements for asbestos in fiber cement materials, and the effectiveness of mechanical treatments in generating superficial fibrillation of sisal and banana fibers in order to improve the mechanical bonding of these fibers to the matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.
Abstract: Low-cost natural fibers, available in developing countries, have been studied as replacements for asbestos in fiber cement materials. Laboratory pulps prepared from commercial sisal, by-product sisal, banana strands, and eucalypt kraft residue are compared to Pinus radiata kraft pulp, a reinforcement already widely used in commercial building materials. Fiber aspect ratio, percentage fines, freeness, and coarseness values of the various fiber pulps were measured in an attempt to correlate fiber properties to fiber performance when used as cement composite reinforcement. The effectiveness of mechanical treatments in generating superficial fibrillation of sisal and banana fibers in order to improve the mechanical bonding of these fibers to the matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Unrefined Eucalyptus grandis fibers, residues from a kraft pulp mill, were observed to possess irregular shapes and surfaces that could give rise to an acceptable level of mechanical bonding to the matrix....