DYNAMIC MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SHORT SISAL FIBER REINFORCED LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

The dynamic mechanical properties of low density polyethylene filled with isocyanate treated and untreated short sisal fiber composites were studied as a function of temperature and frequency. By the incorporation of short sisal fiber into LDPE, the storage moduli (E') and loss moduli (E'') increase, whereas the mechanical loss factor decreases. The effects of fiber-matrix adhesion on the viscoelastic properties of the composites have been studied and it has been found that the increase in adhesion increases the storage modulus. The effects of fiber length, fiber orientation, and fiber loading on the dynamic mechanical properties have also been investigated. In all cases, storage moduli (E') and loss moduli (E'') decrease with temperature and increase with fiber loading.