Paper number 771

PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITES BASED ON MATER-BI AND SISAL FIBER

A.Vazquez¹, V.P.Cyras¹,J.M Kenny² and S. Iannace³

1Research Institute of Material Science and Technology (INTEMA)-Mar del Plata-Argentina - anvazque@fi.mdp.edu.ar
2University of Perugia-Materials Eng. Center - Terni - Italy - kenny@unipg.it
3Institute of Composite Material Technology (ITCM-CNR)-Naples-Italy
iannace@unina.it

Summary

Relationship between processing conditions and properties were reported. Alkaline treatment was performed in order to improve the adhesion and/or compatibility of the fiber with the matrix. The effect of the treatment on the tensile properties and morphology was determined. Fiber content enhances the tensile properties of Mater-Bi. The experimentally and observed tensile properties (modulus and tensile strength) of short sisal fiber and Mater-Bi with different fiber loading have been compared with the existing theories of reinforcement. SEM photomicrographs of the fractured composite surfaces was analyzed.

Keywords

biodegradable composites-natural fiber-mechanical properties processing.