Test MethodRheological properties of sisal fiber/poly(butylene succinate) composites

Rheological parameters are important for processing plant fiber/polymer composites. However, it is not appropriate to evaluate the rheological parameters of the composites with a capillary rheometer. A method using a torque rheometer was developed and used to evaluate the rheological properties of sisal fiber (SF)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites. The aspect ratios (the ratio of fiber length to diameter) of SFs after mixing were also measured. The effects of angular velocity and SF content on the aspect ratios of SFs in the composites and on the rheological parameters were analyzed. The results indicate that shear thinning is more pronounced with increasing SF content, because of disentanglement, breakage and orientation of SFs.