The work described in this paper refers to the mechanical characterisation of sisal natural fibres compositematerials.Were made experiences with different surface treatments with the purpose of increasing the adhesion betweenthe fibres and the matrix, and consequently to improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material.A brief description of the production and test setups of the composite materials is made

C. Romão

J. L. Esteves

P. Vieira

The work described in this paper refers to the mechanical characterisation of sisal natural fibres composite
materials.
Were made experiences with different surface treatments with the purpose of increasing the adhesion between
the fibres and the matrix, and consequently to improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material.
A brief description of the production and test setups of the composite materials is made

Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISATION OF SISAL FIBRES FOR REINFORCING OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT SURFACE TREATMENTS  C. Romão1, P. Vieira2, J.L. Esteves3  2 INEGI – Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua do Barroco, 174 , 4465-591 Leça do Balio, Portugal 1 ESTV/IPV - Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Superior School of Technology of Viseu, Institute Polytechnic of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-51Viseu, Portugal 3 FEUP – Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal  ABSTRACT The work described in this paper refers to the mechanical characterisation of sisal natural fibres composite materials. Were made experiences with different surface treatments with the purpose of increasing the adhesion between the fibres and the matrix, and consequently to improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material. A brief description of the production and test setups of the composite materials is made.   1. INTRODUTION Today the search for new, recyclable and renewable materials is leading the researchers in new ways. Natural products are emerging and some research is starting in this matter. The work presented here shows the utilisation of sisal fibres with different surface treatments with the purpose of increasing the adhesion between the fibres and the matrix, and consequently to improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material [1-2]. The treatment used is called mercerization, and is described below. Before the treatment application the natural fibres were cleaned in order to remove contaminating agents. Some plates were made using sisal fibres as reinforcement and an epoxy resin as matrix.   2. SURFACE TREATMENT A fibre surface treatment has been done to increase the fibre/matrix adhesion. This treatment (mercerizing) is made in some steps. First, the fibres were immersed in a bath of Sodium Hydroxide solution (NaOH), prepared with distilled water. During this process the bath was stirred continuously using a mechanical agitator. Finished the immersion stage the solution presented a yellow colour, because of the substances removed from the fibres. Next, the fibres were washed several times with distilled water, until the water pH came to neutral. To dry the fibres we left them 5 days at ambient temperature, and then exposed six hours at 60º C in an oven. [3-7] The main objective of the treatment is the fibre superficial cleaning by the remove of some agents (grass, silica, etc.) that difficult the chemical reactions between the fibres and the matrix. Additionally, can remove the lignin and the hemicelluloses, responsible for some degradation mechanisms. This treatment improves the interface fibre/matrix adhesion by increasing the chemical compatibility (exposing the hydroxyl groups of the fibres) and the mechanical anchorage.   Four different treatments of mercerization were made, with different volume percentage of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and bath time immersion:   - 4% (NaOH) in volume and 1 hour bath immersion  - 4% (NaOH) in volume and 2 hour bath immersion  - 8% (NaOH) in volume and 1 hour bath immersion  - 8% (NaOH) in volume and 2 hour bath immersion All treatments were made with a bath temperature of 20ºC.   3. FIBRE PREPARATION The first step for the application of the sisal fibres was the superficial cleaning; because when they were acquired contained some contaminating agents on the surface. After this cleaning process and before the surface treatments (when applied), the fibres were cutted to pieces of approximately 30 mm length, with the aim of prepare the fibres for the production of an aleatory mat. For the mat production the fibres (previously dried on an oven) were placed aleatory in a mould, afterwards the mould was closed and submitted to some pressing, resorting to a press. After 10 minutes the mat produced was removed. Fig. 1 shows the mould employed and the mat of sisal fibres.  Fig 1. The natural fibre mat   4. MANUFATURING A COMPOSITE PLATE To produce the sisal composites plates, was used the epoxy resin Reapox WOOD RX8 from REA Industries with the following characteristics: Tensile Strength (MPa) = 49,98; Modulus (GPa) = 2,91; Density (g/cm3) = 1,13. To manufacture the composite plates, with aleatory sisal fibre reinforcement, was used the compression moulding technique. The mould used, made of steel (Fig. 1), have a cavity of 150x100x4 mm3 and was prepared with the application of the mould release agent QZ13 from Ciba.  For the production of 25% volume fraction of sisal fibre reinforced composite plates, we calculated the need of 20 grams of fibre for each plate. That amount of fibre before compression is in volume 4 times bigger than the final thickness of the plate. After the preparation of the resin, we introduce it in the mould (Fig. 2). The mat is then placed in the mould (Fig. 3) and the mould closed. At last, the mould is placed in the hot plate press, and submitted to a cure stage of 1 hour at 60 ºC.             Fig. 2. Introducing the resin    Fig. 3. Placing the mat Void content and a non homogeneous distribution of the sisal fibres in the matrix are, apparently, the main problems that need optimisation in the production process used. For the plates produced, we estimate, by measuring the plate and weighing it, that the void content is around 10 %.    Fig. 4. Plate after the opening of the mould   5. MECHANICAL CHARACTERISATION AND RESULTS  For the mechanical characterisation of composite materials it was used an INSTRON 4208 universal testing machine. The tests were made according to the ISO 527-4 standard, using a 100 kN load cell and a 2 mm/min traction speed. Fig. 5 shows the setup.                   Fig. 5. Test setup  The Tables 1 to 6 and Fig. 6 and 7 shows the results of the mechanical characterisation for the REAPOX WOOD RX8 resin and for the composite plates made with 25% volume fraction of sisal fibre with and without surface treatment.        Table 1. 25% sisal fibre without surface treatment   Without treatment Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 0 36,48 4,23 1,02 1 43,61 4,63 0,89 2 47,16 5,61 1,14 3 52,97 5,02 1,22 Average 45,05 4,87 1,07 StDev. 6,90 0,59 0,15 Minimal Value 36,48 4,23 0,89 Maximum Value 52,97 5,61 1,22    Table 2. 25% sisal fibre (4% NaOH, 1 hour)   4%(NaOH), 1 hour Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 4.1.0 47,34 6,80 0,97   4.1.1 *    4.1.2 50,09 6,23 1,05 4.1.3 52,11 6,49 0,89 Average 49,85 6,51 0,97 StDev. 2,40 0,29 0,08 Minimal Value 47,34 6,23 0,89 Maximum Value 52,11 6,80 1,05 * Brake at the grips  Table 3. 25% sisal fibre (4% NaOH, 2 hour)   4%(NaOH), 2 hour Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 4.2.0 58,38 7,16 1,00 4.2.1 62,33 6,21 1,21 4.2.2 69,71 7,44 1,18 4.2.3 60,81 5,75 1,37 Average 62,81 6,64 1,19 StDev. 4,88 0,79 0,15 Minimal Value 58,38 5,75 1,00 Maximum Value 69,71 7,44 1,37   Table 4. 25% sisal fibre (8% NaOH, 1 hour)   8%(NaOH), 1 hour Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 8.1.0 49,75 5,47 1,10 8.1.1 63,71 6,93 1,20 8.1.2 59,48 5,97 1,28 8.1.3 64,92 6,00 1,43 Average 59,47 6,09 1,25 StDev. 6,88 0,61 0,14 Minimal Value 49,75 5,47 1,10 Maximum Value 64,92 6,93 1,43  Table 5. 25% sisal fibre (8% NaOH, 2 hour)   8%(NaOH), 2 hour Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 8.2.0 47,90 5,96 1,01 8.2.1 49,00 5,96 1,19 8.2.2 54,45 6,82 1,21 8.2.3 46,71 5,94 0,94 Average 49,51 6,17 1,09 StDev. 3,42 0,43 0,13 Minimal Value 46,71 5,94 0,94 Maximum Value 54,45 6,82 1,21   Tensile Strength0,0010,0020,0030,0040,0050,0060,0070,000,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 10,00% of NaOH in volumeTensile strength [MPa]1 hour bath2 hour bath Fig. 6. Tensile Strength Graphic  Young Modulus0,001,002,003,004,005,006,007,000,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 10,00% of NaOH in volumeYoung Modulos [GPa]1 hour bath2 hour bath Fig. 7. Young Modulus Graphic   Table 6. Comparison between the mechanical characterisation of the different fibre surface treatment   Composite Tensile Strength σr [MPa] Modulus E [GPa] Deformation εr [%]  A REAPOX WOOD RX8 +25% sisal fibre Without treatment  45,05  4,87  1,07  B REAPOX WOOD RX8 +25% sisal fibre 4%(NaOH), 1 hour  49,85  6,51  0,97  C REAPOX WOOD RX8 +25% sisal fibre 4%(NaOH), 2 hour  62,81  6,64  1,19  D REAPOX WOOD RX8 +25% sisal fibre 8%(NaOH), 1 hour  59,47  6,09  1,25  E REAPOX WOOD RX8 +25% sisal fibre 8%(NaOH), 2 hour  49,51  6,17  1,09  F Resin REAPOX WOOD RX8  49,98   2,91  6,50   If we look to the tensile strength, the value obtained by the different natural sisal fibres composites is similar or inferior to the resin matrix for the composites A, B and E. If we look to the modulus, the sisal fibres composite present more than the double of the matrix modulus value, except for the non treated fibres. A bad fibre/matrix adhesion could be responsible for these results even the surface treatments made to the fibres improve the adhesion between fibre and matrix, observed by the results obtained in comparison with the untreated fibres. When analysing the crack surface, we could confirm that the adhesion fibre/matrix was, in some cases, bad. In some cracks surfaces, we could see small parts of fibre completely removed from the matrix. That shows that the adhesion is poor, and that the fibre is weakening the matrix instead of reinforcing it.     6. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to point the research in the surface treatment of the fibres. Only with good surface treatment we can obtain a good adhesion fibre/matrix, and that is one key-point to improve the mechanical composite properties.  In this study, we try to improve the mechanical properties of sisal natural reinforced plastics by the modification of the surface properties of the fibres. We made the study using the mercerizing treatment of the fibre surface with different concentration of Sodium Hydroxide solution (NaOH) and different bath time. The treatments give some results with some improvements of the mechanical properties. Future works should be made to study the improvement of the mechanical properties by the optimisation of the mercerization treatment parameters (concentration of NaOH solution, time and bath temperature). The production process of the sisal fibres composites must also be optimised to promote a homogeneous distribution of the aleatory fibre reinforce and minimize the volume fraction of voids.     ACNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was implemented in the scope of a research and development project “POCTI/40201/EME/2001 – Mechanical Behaviour of Natural Fibre Reinforced Plastics Composites”, supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia”, program POCTI and FEDER, Portugal.   References 1.  C. Romão, “Study of the Mechanical Behaviour of Composite Polymeric Materials Reinforced with Natural Fibers", Dissertation presented for obtaining a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, from the Engineering Faculty in the University of Porto, April, 2003. 2.  Project SAPIENS POCTI/40201/EME/2001, “Mechanical behaviour of Composites of Polymeric Matrix Reinforced with Natural Fibers”, Report of Annual Progress, 1º year of activity, 2002. 3.  Peters R.H. “Textile Chemistry I: The Chemistry of Fibres”, Elsevier Publishing Company, 1963. 4.  Peters R.H. “Textile Chemistry II: Impurities in Fibres, Purification of Fibres”, Elsevier Publishing Company, 1967. 5.  Rowell R.M. “Chemical Modification of Agricultural Fibers for Property enhanced Composites”, Cap. V, Project: Modification of Lignocellulosics for Advanced Materials and New Uses, http://www.fppl.fs.fed.us, 1995. 6.  Rowell R.M., Han J.S. and Rowell J.S. “Characterization and Factors Effecting Fiber Properties”, Natural polymers and Agrofibers Composites, pp. 115-134, 2000 7.  Eichorn S.J., Baillie C.A., Zafeiropoulos N., Mwaikambo L.Y., Ansell M.P., Dufresne  A., Entwistle K.M., Herrera-Franco P.J., Escamilla G.C., Groom L., Hughes M., Hill C., Rials T.G. and Wild P.M., “Current International Research into Cellulosic Fibres and Composites”, Journal of Materials Science, v36, pp.2107-2131, 2001. 

Mechanical characterisation of sisal fibres for reinforcing of composite materials with several different surface treatments

Open Repository of the University of Porto

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISATION OF SISAL FIBRES FOR 
REINFORCING OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS WITH SEVERAL 
DIFFERENT SURFACE TREATMENTS 
 
C. Romão1, P. Vieira2, J.L. Esteves3 
 
2 INEGI – Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua do Barroco, 174 , 4465-591 
Leça do Balio, Portugal 
1
 ESTV/IPV - Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Superior School of 
Technology of Viseu, Institute Polytechnic of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-51Viseu, Portugal 
3 FEUP – Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Faculty of Engineering of 
University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal 
 
ABSTRACT 
The work described in this paper refers to the mechanical characterisation of sisal natural fibres composite 
materials. 
Were made experiences with different surface treatments with the purpose of increasing the adhesion between 
the fibres and the matrix, and consequently to improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material. 
A brief description of the production and test setups of the composite materials is made. 
 
 
1. INTRODUTION 
Today the search for new, recyclable and renewable materials is leading the researchers in 
new ways. Natural products are emerging and some research is starting in this matter. The 
work presented here shows the utilisation of sisal fibres with different surface treatments with 
the purpose of increasing the adhesion between the fibres and the matrix, and consequently to 
improve mechanical behaviour of the composite material [1-2]. The treatment used is called 
mercerization, and is described below. Before the treatment application the natural fibres were 
cleaned in order to remove contaminating agents. Some plates were made using sisal fibres as 
reinforcement and an epoxy resin as matrix. 
 
 
2. SURFACE TREATMENT 
A fibre surface treatment has been done to increase the fibre/matrix adhesion. This treatment 
(mercerizing) is made in some steps. First, the fibres were immersed in a bath of Sodium 
Hydroxide solution (NaOH), prepared with distilled water. During this process the bath was 
stirred continuously using a mechanical agitator. Finished the immersion stage the solution 
presented a yellow colour, because of the substances removed from the fibres. Next, the fibres 
were washed several times with distilled water, until the water pH came to neutral. To dry the 
fibres we left them 5 days at ambient temperature, and then exposed six hours at 60º C in an 
oven. [3-7] 
The main objective of the treatment is the fibre superficial cleaning by the remove of some 
agents (grass, silica, etc.) that difficult the chemical reactions between the fibres and the 
matrix. Additionally, can remove the lignin and the hemicelluloses, responsible for some 
degradation mechanisms. 
This treatment improves the interface fibre/matrix adhesion by increasing the chemical 
compatibility (exposing the hydroxyl groups of the fibres) and the mechanical anchorage.   
Four different treatments of mercerization were made, with different volume percentage of 
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and bath time immersion: 
 
 - 4% (NaOH) in volume and 1 hour bath immersion 
 - 4% (NaOH) in volume and 2 hour bath immersion 
 - 8% (NaOH) in volume and 1 hour bath immersion 
 - 8% (NaOH) in volume and 2 hour bath immersion 
All treatments were made with a bath temperature of 20ºC. 
 
 
3. FIBRE PREPARATION 
The first step for the application of the sisal fibres was the superficial cleaning; because when 
they were acquired contained some contaminating agents on the surface. After this cleaning 
process and before the surface treatments (when applied), the fibres were cutted to pieces of 
approximately 30 mm length, with the aim of prepare the fibres for the production of an 
aleatory mat. 
For the mat production the fibres (previously dried on an oven) were placed aleatory in a 
mould, afterwards the mould was closed and submitted to some pressing, resorting to a press. 
After 10 minutes the mat produced was removed. Fig. 1 shows the mould employed and the 
mat of sisal fibres. 
 
Fig 1. The natural fibre mat 
 
 
4. MANUFATURING A COMPOSITE PLATE 
To produce the sisal composites plates, was used the epoxy resin Reapox WOOD RX8 from 
REA Industries with the following characteristics: 
Tensile Strength (MPa) = 49,98; Modulus (GPa) = 2,91; Density (g/cm3) = 1,13. 
To manufacture the composite plates, with aleatory sisal fibre reinforcement, was used the 
compression moulding technique. The mould used, made of steel (Fig. 1), have a cavity of 
150x100x4 mm3 and was prepared with the application of the mould release agent QZ13 from 
Ciba.  
For the production of 25% volume fraction of sisal fibre reinforced composite plates, we 
calculated the need of 20 grams of fibre for each plate. That amount of fibre before 
compression is in volume 4 times bigger than the final thickness of the plate. After the 
preparation of the resin, we introduce it in the mould (Fig. 2). The mat is then placed in the 
mould (Fig. 3) and the mould closed. At last, the mould is placed in the hot plate press, and 
submitted to a cure stage of 1 hour at 60 ºC. 
 
           
Fig. 2. Introducing the resin    Fig. 3. Placing the mat 
Void content and a non homogeneous distribution of the sisal fibres in the matrix are, 
apparently, the main problems that need optimisation in the production process used. For the 
plates produced, we estimate, by measuring the plate and weighing it, that the void content is 
around 10 %.  
 
 
Fig. 4. Plate after the opening of the mould 
 
 
5. MECHANICAL CHARACTERISATION AND RESULTS 
 
For the mechanical characterisation of composite materials it was used an INSTRON 4208 
universal testing machine. The tests were made according to the ISO 527-4 standard, using a 
100 kN load cell and a 2 mm/min traction speed. Fig. 5 shows the setup. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fig. 5. Test setup 
 
The Tables 1 to 6 and Fig. 6 and 7 shows the results of the mechanical characterisation for the 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 resin and for the composite plates made with 25% volume fraction of 
sisal fibre with and without surface treatment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 1. 25% sisal fibre without surface treatment 
 
 Without treatment 
Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 
0 36,48 4,23 1,02 
1 43,61 4,63 0,89 
2 47,16 5,61 1,14 
3 52,97 5,02 1,22 
Average 45,05 4,87 1,07 
StDev. 6,90 0,59 0,15 
Minimal Value 36,48 4,23 0,89 
Maximum Value 52,97 5,61 1,22 
 
 
 
Table 2. 25% sisal fibre (4% NaOH, 1 hour) 
 
 4%(NaOH), 1 hour 
Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 
4.1.0 47,34 6,80 0,97 
  4.1.1 *    
4.1.2 50,09 6,23 1,05 
4.1.3 52,11 6,49 0,89 
Average 49,85 6,51 0,97 
StDev. 2,40 0,29 0,08 
Minimal Value 47,34 6,23 0,89 
Maximum Value 52,11 6,80 1,05 
* Brake at the grips 
 
Table 3. 25% sisal fibre (4% NaOH, 2 hour) 
 
 4%(NaOH), 2 hour 
Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 
4.2.0 58,38 7,16 1,00 
4.2.1 62,33 6,21 1,21 
4.2.2 69,71 7,44 1,18 
4.2.3 60,81 5,75 1,37 
Average 62,81 6,64 1,19 
StDev. 4,88 0,79 0,15 
Minimal Value 58,38 5,75 1,00 
Maximum Value 69,71 7,44 1,37 
 
 
Table 4. 25% sisal fibre (8% NaOH, 1 hour) 
 
 8%(NaOH), 1 hour 
Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 
8.1.0 49,75 5,47 1,10 
8.1.1 63,71 6,93 1,20 
8.1.2 59,48 5,97 1,28 
8.1.3 64,92 6,00 1,43 
Average 59,47 6,09 1,25 
StDev. 6,88 0,61 0,14 
Minimal Value 49,75 5,47 1,10 
Maximum Value 64,92 6,93 1,43 
 
Table 5. 25% sisal fibre (8% NaOH, 2 hour) 
 
 8%(NaOH), 2 hour 
Id. Specimen σr [MPa] E [GPa] εr [%] 
8.2.0 47,90 5,96 1,01 
8.2.1 49,00 5,96 1,19 
8.2.2 54,45 6,82 1,21 
8.2.3 46,71 5,94 0,94 
Average 49,51 6,17 1,09 
StDev. 3,42 0,43 0,13 
Minimal Value 46,71 5,94 0,94 
Maximum Value 54,45 6,82 1,21 
 
 
Tensile Strength
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00
60,00
70,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 10,00
% of NaOH in volume
Te
n
si
le
 
st
re
n
gt
h 
[M
Pa
]
1 hour bath
2 hour bath
 
Fig. 6. Tensile Strength Graphic 
 Young Modulus
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
6,00
7,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 10,00
% of NaOH in volume
Yo
u
n
g 
M
o
du
lo
s 
[G
Pa
]
1 hour bath
2 hour bath
 
Fig. 7. Young Modulus Graphic 
 
 
Table 6. Comparison between the mechanical characterisation of the different fibre surface treatment 
 
 Composite Tensile Strength 
σr [MPa] 
Modulus 
E [GPa] 
Deformation 
εr [%] 
 
A 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
+25% sisal fibre 
Without treatment 
 
45,05 
 
4,87 
 
1,07 
 
B 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
+25% sisal fibre 
4%(NaOH), 1 hour 
 
49,85 
 
6,51 
 
0,97 
 
C 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
+25% sisal fibre 
4%(NaOH), 2 hour 
 
62,81 
 
6,64 
 
1,19 
 
D 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
+25% sisal fibre 
8%(NaOH), 1 hour 
 
59,47 
 
6,09 
 
1,25 
 
E 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
+25% sisal fibre 
8%(NaOH), 2 hour 
 
49,51 
 
6,17 
 
1,09 
 
F 
Resin 
REAPOX WOOD RX8 
 
49,98 
 
 
2,91 
 
6,50 
 
 
If we look to the tensile strength, the value obtained by the different natural sisal fibres 
composites is similar or inferior to the resin matrix for the composites A, B and E. If we look 
to the modulus, the sisal fibres composite present more than the double of the matrix modulus 
value, except for the non treated fibres. 
A bad fibre/matrix adhesion could be responsible for these results even the surface treatments 
made to the fibres improve the adhesion between fibre and matrix, observed by the results 
obtained in comparison with the untreated fibres. 
When analysing the crack surface, we could confirm that the adhesion fibre/matrix was, in 
some cases, bad. In some cracks surfaces, we could see small parts of fibre completely 
removed from the matrix. That shows that the adhesion is poor, and that the fibre is 
weakening the matrix instead of reinforcing it.  
 
 
 6. CONCLUSIONS 
It is necessary to point the research in the surface treatment of the fibres. Only with good 
surface treatment we can obtain a good adhesion fibre/matrix, and that is one key-point to 
improve the mechanical composite properties.  
In this study, we try to improve the mechanical properties of sisal natural reinforced plastics 
by the modification of the surface properties of the fibres. We made the study using the 
mercerizing treatment of the fibre surface with different concentration of Sodium Hydroxide 
solution (NaOH) and different bath time. The treatments give some results with some 
improvements of the mechanical properties. Future works should be made to study the 
improvement of the mechanical properties by the optimisation of the mercerization treatment 
parameters (concentration of NaOH solution, time and bath temperature). 
The production process of the sisal fibres composites must also be optimised to promote a 
homogeneous distribution of the aleatory fibre reinforce and minimize the volume fraction of 
voids.   
 
 
ACNOWLEDGEMENTS 
This work was implemented in the scope of a research and development project 
“POCTI/40201/EME/2001 – Mechanical Behaviour of Natural Fibre Reinforced Plastics 
Composites”, supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia”, program POCTI and 
FEDER, Portugal. 
 
 
References 
1.  C. Romão, “Study of the Mechanical Behaviour of Composite Polymeric Materials Reinforced with 
Natural Fibers", Dissertation presented for obtaining a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, from 
the Engineering Faculty in the University of Porto, April, 2003. 
2.  Project SAPIENS POCTI/40201/EME/2001, “Mechanical behaviour of Composites of Polymeric 
Matrix Reinforced with Natural Fibers”, Report of Annual Progress, 1º year of activity, 2002. 
3.  Peters R.H. “Textile Chemistry I: The Chemistry of Fibres”, Elsevier Publishing Company, 1963. 
4.  Peters R.H. “Textile Chemistry II: Impurities in Fibres, Purification of Fibres”, Elsevier Publishing 
Company, 1967. 
5.  Rowell R.M. “Chemical Modification of Agricultural Fibers for Property enhanced Composites”, Cap. 
V, Project: Modification of Lignocellulosics for Advanced Materials and New Uses, 
http://www.fppl.fs.fed.us, 1995. 
6.  Rowell R.M., Han J.S. and Rowell J.S. “Characterization and Factors Effecting Fiber Properties”, 
Natural polymers and Agrofibers Composites, pp. 115-134, 2000 
7.  Eichorn S.J., Baillie C.A., Zafeiropoulos N., Mwaikambo L.Y., Ansell M.P., Dufresne  A., 
Entwistle K.M., Herrera-Franco P.J., Escamilla G.C., Groom L., Hughes M., Hill C., Rials T.G. 
and Wild P.M., “Current International Research into Cellulosic Fibres and Composites”, Journal of 
Materials Science, v36, pp.2107-2131, 2001. 


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Mechanical characterisation of sisal fibres for reinforcing of composite materials with several different surface treatments

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