Mechanical properties of sisal fibre reinforced urea-formaldehyde resin composites

Abstract

Alkali-treated sisal fibres were used as novel reinforcement to obtain composites with self-synthesized ureaformaldehyde resin as matrix phase. The composites were prepared by means of compression molding, and then the effects of sisal loading on mechanical properties such as impact strength, flexural strength, and wear resistance were investigated. In addition, water uptake was studied and structural features were revealed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composite with 30 wt% sisal fibres gives excellent flexural strength, water absorption, and especially the wear resistance showing that it has the most superior bonding and adhesion of all the composites. In particular, the highest value 9.42 kJ/m2 of charpy impact strength is observed in the composite with 50 wt% sisal fibre. SEM micrographs of impact fractured and worn surfaces clearly demonstrate the interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix. This work shows the potential of sisal fibre (SF) to improve the composite wear resistance and to be used in fibreboard.