SISAL

About: SISAL is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1878 publications have been published within this topic receiving 55528 citations.

Sisal organosolv pulp as reinforcement for cement based composites

Abstract: The present work describes non-conventional sisal (Agave sisalana) chemical (organosolv) pulp from residues of cordage as reinforcement to cement based materials. Sisal organosolv pulp was produced in a 1:1 ethanol/water mixture and post chemically and physically characterized in order to compare its properties with sisal kraft pulp. Cement based composites reinforced with organosolv or kraft pulps and combined with polypropylene (PP) fibres were produced by the slurry de-watering and pressing method as a crude simulation of the Hatschek process. Composites were evaluated at 28 days of age, after exposition to accelerated carbonation and after 100 soak/dry cycles. Composites containing organosolv pulp presented lower mechanical strength, water absorption and apparent porosity than composites reinforced with kraft pulp. The best mechanical performance after ageing was also achieved by samples reinforced with kraft pulp. The addition of PP fibres favoured the maintenance of toughness after ageing. Accelerated carbonation promoted the densification of the composites reinforced with sisal organosolv + PP fibres.

The preparation of self-reinforced sisal fiber composites

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.

Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus HK-37) On Solid Sisal Waste Fractions Supplemented With Cow Dung Manure

Abstract: Solid sisal waste fractions which included composted sisal boles and sisal leaves decortication residues supplemented with cow dung manure at various rates used singly and/or in combination as substrates were investigated for cultivation of oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus HK-37). The effect of the test sisal waste substrates and cow dung manure of various supplementation rates were evaluated by mushroom yield, biological efficiency and mushroom size. Pinheads occurred in all substrates within 3 to 5 weeks of transfer of bags to the cropping room. The overall best results of mushroom production were obtained in a substrate combination of 50 % sisal leaves + 50 % sisal boles (based on 450 g wet weight substrate) supplemented by 30 % cow dung manure with the mushroom yield of 184.64 g fresh mushrooms/kg moist substrate weight and percentage biological efficiency (B.E) of about 63 %. Mushroom size of 6.10 was obtained in sisal boles substrate supplemented by 20 % cow dung manure. Least yield of 26.73 g fresh mushrooms/kg moist substrate weight and lowest B.E of 8.95 % were obtained from non-supplemented substrate of sisal leaves alone. The study concluded that, supplementation using cow dung manure may play an important role on increasing the yield and productivity of Pleurotus HK-37 on solid sisal waste fractions under the conditions investigated.

“Green” composites using bioresins from agro‐wastes and modified sisal fibers

Abstract: “Green” composites were fabricated using modified sisal fibers and agro-waste derived resins from nonedible protein and starch in a simple and cost-effective manner. Sisal fibers were modified using a novel combination of mercerization followed by heat treatment under a pre-determined tension which improved their Young's modulus by over 200% (from 5.5 to 16.7 GPa) and tensile strength by about 50% (from 300 to 450 MPa). The non-edible protein and starch were extracted from defatted karanja (Pongamia pinnata) and mango (Mangifera indica) seed cake wastes, respectively, to prepare the green resins. Composite specimens were fabricated using as-received and modified fibers and agro-waste derived resins using a hand lay-up process followed by hot-pressing. The tensile properties of the composites made with modified fibers showed significant improvement as compared to the composites made with as-received fibers as well as other edible starch or protein-based sisal composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers