Study on the polymeric treatment with rice husk silica on sisal fiber in cementicious composites

Abstract

This research evaluates how treating sisal fibers with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and rice husk silica (RHS) affects their absorption capacity, tensile strength, and adhesion when used in Portland cement matrices. The study on sisal fibers treated with EPS and RHS polymers found that the treatment significantly reduced water absorption by 70%, from 84.67% for untreated fibers to 15.18% for treated ones, due to the hydrophobic nature of EPS. Optical microscopy revealed an irregular polymer layer on the fibers, which, while improving dimensional stability, could impair fiber-matrix interaction. Despite these improvements, the treatment did not notably enhance the mechanical properties of the fibers, as the breaking strength remained similar to untreated fibers, and the rupture displacement slightly decreased