Processing of Sisal Fiber Reinforced Composites by Resin Transfer Molding

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, a linear flow model based on Darcy's law was used in the experiment to measure permeability of sisal textile. The Kozeny–Carman equation was employed to predict the permeability of sisal textile and the Kozeny constant was calculated through experimental results. Both experimental and predicted permeability values of sisal textiles were compared. Effects of fiber surface treatments and fiber volume fraction on the permeability of sisal textile were also studied in this research. Comparisons of mechanical properties of sisal-textile-reinforced composites manufactured by different processing technologies were made.