The Effects of Sodium Carbonate and Bicarbonate Treatments on Sisal Fibre Composites

This work investigates the effect of eco-friendly chemical treatments on the mechanical and physical properties of composite laminates based on sisal fibres. A 2(2)3(1) full-factorial design is conducted to test the influence of chemical solution types, fibre treatment time, and polymer matrix type on the mechanical and morphological characterisation of the composites. Chemical treatments remove impurities from fibre surfaces, and enhance fibre-matrix adhesion. The treatments, especially with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), also progressively reduce the hemicellulose fibre content. Polyester composites made with sisal fibres treated with Na2CO3 for 96h achieve enhanced strength and stiffness under tensile, compressive and impact loads. The results evidence the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed eco-friendly treatments for natural fibres and the application of renewable fibre laminates in secondary structural applications.