Mechanical properties of sisal/ fiberglass reinforced composites

Abstract

The use of plant fibers to replace artificial fibers such as carbon fiber or glass fiber is the subject of studies by many researchers today. Vegetable fibers are considered for their renewability, degradability, low toxicity and low cost. In this work, the mechanical properties of tensile and flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of hybrid composites of sisal fibers with glass fiber in an epoxy polymer matrix were evaluated. The fibers were treated in a 10% by weight sodium hydroxide solution and subjected to tensile tests in a universal testing machine according to the ASTM D3039 and D790 standards. The best performing composites were the sisal + fiberglass hybrids, at 86% for the tensile strength and 64% for the elastic modulus. In the bending tests the results showed a performance of 119% for the maximum stress and 138% in the greater breaking stress for the hybrid composites.