Sisal fiber (SF) reinforced recycled polypropylene (RPP) composites

The article focuses on the effect of fiber surface treatment on the properties and performance of sisal fiber (SF) reinforced recycled polypropylene (RPP) composites. Sisal fiber was functionalized using different surface modification methods using silane (Si), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and o-hydroxybenzene diazonium chloride (OBDC) in order to improve the compatibility with matrix polymer. The experimental results revealed an improvement in the tensile strength to the tune of 11 %, 20 % and 31.36 % and impact strength to 78.72 %, 77 % and 81 % for silane, GMA and OBDC treated SF reinforced RPP composites, respectively as compared to RPP. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) studies revealed enhanced thermal stability of RPP after SF reinforcement. The flammability behavior of surface modified SF/RPP composites were also investigated using horizontal burning method. Improved surface interaction between fiber and polymer matrix was confirmed from scanning electron micrographs (SEM).