Processing and Characterization of Natural Sisal Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlinePolymer composites are capable of replacing many conventional materials due to its various engineering properties, especially due to its high specific strength and modulus. In general, the reinforcements for polymer composite are synthetic fibers such as fiber glass, aramid, etc., which are carcinogenic for prolonged exposure. Reducing or replacing them with suitable alternate material is an engineering challenge. In order to take up the challenge, nature comes in handy with natural fibers, which are sustainable, harmless, cost effective, light weight and eco-friendly with comparable properties without much compromise. Sisal is one such natural fiber extracted from the leaves of Agave Sisalana plants with good potential as an alternate reinforcement for man-made synthetic fibers. newlineIn this research, sisal fibers are extracted from its source, characterized comprehensively for its strength and reinforced in polymer matrix with different combinations along with coconut shell powder (filler material) and E-glass fiber for hybridization. The composite materials are fabricated using hand lay-up process, where the reinforcement fibers are weaved into mat and added layer by layer in the material.The powdered micro size coconut shell powders are also added as filler material for certain specimens in order to check its contribution for the composite property enhancement. Hybrid composite are also made with sisal fiber and glass fiber to compensate for the loss of strength in using natural fiber reinforcement. Specimens are prepared with ten different combinations, such as sisal fiber, sisal-glass fiber, sisal-glass fiber with 5 wt.% coconut shell powder, sisal-glass fiber with 10 wt.% coconut shell powder in epoxy matrix at two different fiber orientations of 0/90° and ±45°. The composite plates are cut into required specimen sizes as per ASTM standards for conducting various tests such as tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and water absorption. The interfacial bonding characteristic, cracks initiation and interna