A study of interface behavior in sisal fibre composites – Single fibre pull out test

Abstract

Single fibre pull out behavior of composites with sisal fibres as reinforcement and polypropylene as the matrix has been studied. The natural fibres are treated by plasma and alkali, and then coated with a compatibiliser before subjected to the test. The single fibre pull out test represents the behavior of the composites in terms of the mechanical properties. Scanning electron micrographs have been obtained and used to validate the change in fibre surface morphology as a result of the treatment. Treatment time of 1 min shows optimum adhesion and a maximum average pull out load. The maximum load approaches 2kg for 1 min treated and 1.4 kg for 2 min plasma-treated samples. For same sample dimensions, the single fibre pull out values for <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">maleic anhydride-grafted <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">polypropylene (<span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">MAHPP) samples are found to be around 1kg.

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