Effect of interface modification on the mechanical properties of polystyrene-sisal fiber composites

The effect of interface modification on the mechanical (tensile, impact and flexural) properties of polystyrene-sisal fiber composites was investigated. The interface modification was performed by treatment of sisal fibers with benzoyl chloride, polystyrene maleic anhydride (PSMA), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), methyl triethoxy silarie and triethoxy octyl silane.. These interface modifications improve the compatibility of hydrophilic sisal fiber with a hydrophobic polystyrene matrix and change the tensile, impact and flexural properties of the composite, but to varying degrees depending on the fiber modification. The treated fibers were analyzed by spectro-scopic techniques. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fiber surface, fiber pullout, and fiber-matrix interface.