Surface modification of sisal fibers:: Effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of their epoxy composites

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites as a function of modification of sisal fiber by using mercerization and silane treatments. The changes introduced by the treatments on the chemical structure of sisal fibers have been analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal behavior of both sisal fibers and composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Both treatments clearly enhanced thermal performance and also mechanical properties of fibers, being other physical properties also modified. Mercerization, above all when combined with silanization, led to significant enhancement on mechanical properties of composites as a consequence of increasing mechanical properties of fibers and improving fiber/matrix adhesion. (c) 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.