SISAL

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

Studies on thermal degradation and flame retardant behavior of the sisal fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester toughened epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract: Unsaturated polyester (UP) toughened nanocomposites were prepared using both sisal fibers and montmorillonite clays. The effect of fibers and Cloisite 30B (C30B) nanoclays on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, flame retardant, and morphological behavior of the UP toughened epoxy (Epoxy/UP) were systematically studied. The chemical structures of Epoxy, UP, and Epoxy/UP systems were characterized using Proton Nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The homogeneous dispersion of nanoclay within the polymer matrix was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Incorporation of sisal fibers and C30B nanoclays within Epoxy/UP system resulted in an increase in the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardance properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been employed to evaluate the thermal degradation kinetic parameters of the composites using Kissinger and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa methods. Cone calorimeter, UL-94, and LOI tests revealed a reduction in the burning rate of the matrix with the addition of fibers and nanoclays. The results showed that the treated fiber reinforced nanocomposites had higher thermal stability and better flame retardant properties than the treated fiber reinforced composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42068.

Sisal pulp reinforced cement mortar

Abstract: The study of sisal strands as reinforcement in cement and cement mortars is well reported in the scientific literature; however, little information is available on sisal pulp in such materials. This study shows that superior products suitable as building materials can be easily fabricated using sisal pulps (either soda or kraft pulping methods can be employed). The optimum formulation is about 8% pulp by mass and provides a 50–60-fold increase in fracture toughness over the neat matrix. At this level the flexural strength is about double that of the matrix.

Effect of bagasse ash filled epoxy composites reinforced with hybrid plant fibres for mechanical and thermal properties

Abstract: Bagasse ash (BGA) filled bio-composite were developed with the reinforced hybrid natural fibres sisal, flax, banana and kenaf to improve mechanical and thermal properties. The vacuum bag assisted resin transfer method is used to develop hybrid natural fibres reinforced epoxy composites in combination of banana/flax (HBF), banana/kenaf (HBK), sisal/flax (HSF), and sisal/kenaf (HSK). A ball milled BGA of size 350 nm with a combination of 1, 3 and 5 wt% were incorporated in bio-composites to study its effects in thermal and mechanical properties. Characterization of BGA samples for its chemical composition were done through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis through thermo-gravimetric and derivative thermo-gravimetric analysis results contemplated the application of BGA-B as filler in epoxy composites. Mechanical testing and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to ascertain mechanical properties and thermal stability of composites. The significant improvement in flexural, tensile and impact strength was observed for HBF composite filled up to 3 wt% of BGA. Interestingly maximum flexural and tensile strength was observed for HBK composite filled up to 5 wt% of BGA. The enhanced impact strength was determined for HSF and HSK composites filled with 1 wt% of BGA. The highest thermal stability was ascertained for HBK composites filled up to 3 wt% BGA and HSK composites with 5 wt% BGA. Morphological analysis was performed to study the fractured surface of the specimen using a scanning electron microscope.

Resol–vegetable fibers composites

Abstract: Vegetable fibers like cotton, sisal, and sugar cane bagasse have been used as reinforcement in a polymeric matrix. Because of its low cost and affinity with lignocellulosic fibers, a phenol-formaldehyde resin —resol— was selected as the matrix. Composites were prepared by compression molding. The influence of fiber volume fraction-Vf-in flexural properties and density of composites has been studied. Cotton and sugar cane bagasse composites present a Vf value at which flexural strength and modulus are maxima. However, sisal composites show a continuous rise in flexural strength and modulus as fiber volume fraction increases, up to 76%, which is the highest concentration studied. Composites made with raw cotton show the highest values of strength and stiffness. The actual density of composites is always lower than theoretical density, due to the presence of voids. Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals a good adhesion between fiber and matrix in the composites. In addition, the flexural properties were analyzed with an efficiency criterion, which relates strength and stiffness with density, and the values obtained were compared with those corresponding to typical structural materials. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1832–1840, 2000