Effect of ecofriendly coating and treatment on mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of sisal fibre

199-204The objective of the present work is to overcome the limitations of sisal fibre and to improve its performance by ecofriendly treatment (sodium bicarbonate) and ecofriendly coating [poly lactic acid (PLA)]. Mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses of untreated, treated and treated + coated sisal fibres have been carried out and compared. Sisal fibres are treated with varying concentrations of sodium bicarbonate (5, 10, 15 and 20 % w/v) at varying soaking time periods (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h). PLA coating on sisal fibres is performed at a varying PLA concentrations (2, 4, 6 and 8% w/v). Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction have been used for the examination of morphological and crystalline analysis respectively of untreated, treated and treated + coated sisal fibres. It is observed that the combined effect of treatment and coating leads to improvement in crystallinity, water absorption resistance, and mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fibres