Effect of sisal fiber surface treatments on sisal fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites

The Interface of sisal fiber which was treated by using alkali, potassium permanganate, atmospheric plasma and silane reinforced polypropylene composites were investigated by single fiber pull-out testes and surface morphology were studied. The results indicated that the morphological changes observed on the sisal fiber surface were obviously evident. Untreated, permanganate and plasma treated sisal fiber reinforced PP show a stable debonding process. Silane treated sisal fiber reinforced PP show an unstable debonding process. Single fiber pull-out tests indicated that the IFSS value was in the order of FIB < FIBKMnO4 < FIBP < FIBKH-550 < FIBKH-570. As can be seen from surface morphology of pull-out fiber, a little of PP resin was adhered to the pull-out FIB, FIBKMnO4, FIBP of sisal fiber. In contrast, PP resin at the surface of pull-out fiber was flaked off and sisal fibril was drawn out from sisal fiber were observed from pull-out fibers of FIBKH-550 and FIBKH-570. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland