Developing a new generation of sisal composite fibres for use in industrial applications

The analysis of the produced sleeved nanoparticle reinforced sisal fibre bundle samples proved a significant reduction in moisture absorption by 50% from the starting value. SEM investigations show uniform distribution of the injected nanoparticles between the fibrils and on the surface of the fibre bundle. Tensile strength of the single composite fibre increases by around 50% in comparison to the original unmodified sisal fibre for the latex sleeving. The change in the modulus of elasticity of the modified fibres follows a trend which complies with the properties of the applied sleeving material. Thermal stability of the composite fibre is positively improved where the decomposition temperature increased by 20 °C after fibre modification. The fibre/matrix bonding of imbedded modified sisal fibres in the epoxy resin is also dramatically enhanced especially in PLA and Latex sleeving cases as no matrix de-bonding as failure aspect is reported out of the pull-out test. Microscopic investigations of the laminate produced from the modified fibres show very uniform surface profile enhanced by the latex sleeve around the single fibres.