Self-reinforced melt processable composites of sisal

Through slight benzylation treatment, skin layers of sisal fibers were converted into thermoplastic material while the core of the fiber cells remained unchanged. On the basis of these modified sisal fibers, self-reinforced composites were prepared using hot pressing, in which the plasticized parts of sisal serve as matrix and the unplasticized cores of the fibers as reinforcement. The paper discussed the influence of various benzylation conditions on the structure, thermal flowability and mechanical properties of modified sisal and the composites. It was found that a balance of melt processability and reinforcing effect of the benzylated sisal fibers should be considered. Unlike the conventional plant fiber composites using petro-polymers as matrices, the current self-reinforced composites based on sisal are characterized by inherent interfacial compatibility and full biodegradability. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.