SISAL

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

Effect of fiber morphology on rheological properties of plant fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) composites

Abstract: Sisal fibers (SFs), steam exploded sisal fibers (SESFs) and steam exploded bagasse fibers (SEBFs) which have different fiber morphologies, were mixed with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) using a torque rheometer. The rheological properties of these plant fiber-reinforced PBS composites were evaluated. Results show that the fiber morphology has a large effect on rheological behavior. At the same fiber content (e.g., 10 wt% and 30 wt%), the non-Newtonian index n of composites reinforced by flexible fibers with a higher aspect ratio and larger contact area with the matrix is smaller. In general, n decreases with increasing fiber content but when the fiber content is too high (e.g., 50 wt%), the aggregation of fibers is too extensive so that the actual contact area between fibers and matrix becomes much lower, n increase instead. At the same fiber content (e.g., 10 wt% and 30 wt%), the consistency indices of fibrous filler-reinforced composites are larger than those of powder-filled composites; the larger the actual contact area between the matrix and the fibers, the greater the consistency index of the composite.

Investigations of fiber twist on the mechanical properties of sisal fiber yarns and their composites

Abstract: The effect of fiber twist on the tensile properties of single sisal fibers was investigated by single fiber tensile test. Four kinds of sisal yarns with four different levels of twist were made and the mechanical properties were investigated on both unimpregnated and resin-impregnated sisal yarns. A critical fiber twist level for unimpregnated sisal yarns was found beyond which the tensile properties started to decrease with the increasing of the level of fiber twist. However, for resin-impregnated sisal yarns, both tensile strength and modulus decreased with the increasing of the fiber twist level. In addition, the effect of fiber twist on both the tensile and flexural properties of unidirectional sisal yarn reinforced composites was studied. It was shown that lower twist level led to higher mechanical properties of its reinforced composites. Compared with the experimental results, Rao’s model proved to accurately calculate the Young’s modulus of fiber yarns with different levels of twist. Thus, the Youn...

Sisal Fiber Based Polymer Composites and Their Applications

Abstract: The natural resources of the World are depleting very fast due to the high rate of exploitation and low rate of restoration, leading to an increase in global warming and pollution hazards. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the substitution of synthetic fibers in reinforced plastic composites by natural plant fibers such as jute, coir, flax, hemp, and sisal. Sisal is one of the natural fibers widely available in most parts of the world; it requires minimum financial input and maintenance for cultivation and is often grown in wastelands, which helps in soil conservation. Advantages of sisal fiber are: low density and high specific strength, biodegradable and renewable resource, and it provides thermal and acoustic insulation. Sisal fiber is better than other natural fibers such as jute in many ways, including its higher strength, bright shiny color, large staple length, poor crimp property, variation in properties and quality due to the growing conditions, limited maximum processing temperatures. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in finding innovative applications for sisal fiber-reinforced composites other than their traditional use in making ropes, mats, carpets, handicrafts, and other fancy articles. Composites made of sisal fibers are green materials and do not consume much energy for their production.