Interfacial, dynamic mechanical, and thermal fiber reinforced behavior of MAPE treated sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites

The present article summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical behavior of sisal fiber reinforced HDPE composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and damping parameter (tan delta) with the addition of fibers and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths increased with the increase in fiber loading up to 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison with the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data also showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan 6 spectra presented a strong influence of fiber content and coupling agent on the alpha and gamma relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograms. The fiber-matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated composites were also studied, to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.