J Polym Environ
DOI 10.1007/s10924-010-0210-3
ORIGINAL PAPER
Sisal/Carbon Fibre Reinforced Hybrid Composites: Tensile,
Flexural and Chemical Resistance Properties
P. Noorunnisa Khanam • H. P. S. Abdul Khalil •
M. Jawaid • G. Ramachandra Reddy •
C. Surya Narayana • S. Venkata Naidu
Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010
Abstract The variation of mechanical properties such as
tensile and flexural properties of randomly oriented
unsaturated polyester based sisal/carbon fibre reinforced
hybrid composites with different fibre weight ratios have
been studied. The chemical resistance test of these hybrid
composites to various solvents, acids and alkalies were
studied. The effect of NaOH treatment of sisal fibres on the
tensile, flexural and chemical resistance properties of these
sisal/carbon hybrid composites has also been studied. The
hybrid composites showed an increase in tensile and flex-
ural properties with increase in the carbon fibre loading.
The tensile properties and flexural properties of these
hybrid composites have been found to be higher than that
of the matrix. Significant improvement in tensile properties
and flexural properties of the sisal/carbon hybrid compos-
ites has been observed by alkali treatment. The chemical
resistance test results showed that these untreated and
alkali treated hybrid composites are résistance to all
chemicals except carbon tetra chloride. Hand lay-up tech-
nique was used for making the composites and tests are
carried out by using ASTM methods.
P. Noorunnisa Khanam
H. P. S. Abdul Khalil
M. Jawaid
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Penang, Malaysia
G. Ramachandra Reddy
C. Surya Narayana
S. Venkata Naidu
Department of Polymer Science & Technology, Sri Krishna
Devaraya University, Anantapur 515001, Andhra Pradesh, India
P. Noorunnisa Khanam (&)
Division of Bioresource Technology, School of Industrial
Technology, University Science Malaysia, 11800 Penang,
Malaysia
e-mail: pnkhanam_phd@yahoo.com
Keywords Sisal fibre
Carbon fibre

Unsaturated polyester resin
Hybrid composites

Tensile properties
Flexural properties
Introduction
Now a days fibre reinforced composites are in use in a
variety of structures, ranging from space craft and aircraft
to buildings and bridges. This wide use of composites has
been facilitated by the introduction of new materials,
improvement in manufacturing processes and develop-
ments of new analytical and testing methods. Fiber-rein-
forced materials have high mechanical properties, and their
strength-to-weight ratios are superior to those of most
alloys. When compared to metals they offer many other
advantages as well as including non-corrosiveness, trans-
lucency good bonding properties, and ease of repair.
The performance of a polymer composite depends not
only on the selection of their components, but also on the
interface between them. In order to meet the specific needs,
sometimes it is necessary to modify the matrix, and the
reinforcement. Natural fibres play an important role in
developing high performing fully biodegradable ‘green’
composites which will be a key material to solve the
environmental problems. Natural fibres offer many attrac-
tive technical and environmental qualities when used
as reinforcements in polymer composites. Natural fibers
are largely divided into two categories depending on their
origin: plant based and animal based. In general plant
based fibers are lignocellulose in nature composed of cel-
lulose, hemicellulose and lignin eg. jute, coir, sisal, cotton
etc. [1–6], whereas animal based fibers are composed of
proteins e.g. silk and wool [7, 8]. Natural fibres are low-
cost fibres, highly available and renewable, with low
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density and high specific properties as well as they are
biodegradable and less abrasive to expensive molds and
mixing equipments. However, their potential use as rein-
forcement is greatly reduced because of their incompati-
bility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, their poor
resistance to moisture and their tendency to form aggregate
during processing. The mechanical properties of natural
fibre composites are much lower than those of the synthetic
fibre composites. To produce the reactive hydroxyl groups
and the rough surface for adhesion with polymeric mate-
rials, plant fibres need to undergo physical and/or chemical
treatment to modify the surface and structure. Though the
synthetic fibres have very good mechanical properties, their
disadvantage is difficult recycling. Another advantage of
synthetic fibre is their moisture repellency, whereas poor
resistance to moisture absorption made the use of natural
fibre reinforced composites less attractive.
To take advantage of both natural and synthetic fibres,
they can be combined in the same matrix to produce hybrid
composites that take full advantage of the best properties of
the constituents. Incorporation of fibres (man made or
natural) into a polymer is known to cause substantial
changes in the mechanical properties of composites.
Hybrid composites offers a attractive mode for fabricating
products with reduced cost, high specific modulus,
strength, corrosion resistance and in many cases excellent
thermal stability [9–13].
Suhara Panthpulakkal et al. [14] studied the mechanical,
water absorption and thermal properties of injection-mol-
ded short hemp fibre/glass fibre reinforced poly propylene
hybrid composites. Results showed that hybridization with
glass fibre enhanced the performances properties, thermal
properties and resistance to water absorption properties of
the hemp fibre composites were improved by hybridization
with glass fibres. Abdul Khalil et al. [15] studied the
mechanical and physical properties of oil palm empty fruit
bunch/glass hybrid reinforced polyester composites. Va-
radarajulu et al. [16] studied the tensile properties of ridge
gourd/glass fibre reinforced phenolic composites. They
observed that tensile properties are increased with
increasing glass fibre in the hybrid composites. Padma
priya et al. [17] studied the mechanical performance of bio
fibre/glass reinforced epoxy hybrid composites and they
observed that flexural properties of silk fibre reinforced
composites are improved by the incorporation of glass fibre
in it. John et al. [18–20] studied the tensile, flexural, impact
and compressive properties of sisal/glass fibre hybrid
composite. They observed that these properties were
increases with glass fibre loading. Singha et al. [21] studied
the chemical resistance, mechanical and physical proper-
ties of bio fibre based polymer composites. Srinivasulu
et al. [22] studied the chemical resistance and tensile
properties of short bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy/poly
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J Polym Environ
carbonate composites. Raghu et al [23] studied the chem-
ical resistance properties of sisal/silk hybrid composites.
Varada Rajulu et al [24] studied the chemical resistance,
void contents and morphological properties of Hildegardia
fabric/polycarbonate toughened epoxy composites. Anup-
ama Kaushic et al. [25] studied the mechanical properties
and chemical resistance of short glass fibre reinforced
epoxy composites
In the present work the author prepared the untreated
and alkali treated sisal/carbon hybrid composites with
different weight ratios i.e. 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and
0:100. Interface plays an important role in the physical and
mechanical properties of composites. To make good use of
sisal-fibre reinforcement in composites, fibre-surface
treatment must be carried out to obtain an enhanced
interface between the hydrophilic sisal fibre and the
hydrophobic polymer matrices. Alkali treatment can
remove natural and artificial impurities and produce a
rough surface topography. In addition, alkali treatment
leads to fibre/fibre fibrillation, i.e. breaking down the fibre
bundle into smaller fibres. This increases the effective
surface area available for wetting by the matrix resin.
Hence, increasing the fibre aspect ratio caused by reduced
fibre diameter and producing a rough surface topography
offer better fibre/matrix interface adhesion and increase in
mechanical properties. Unsaturated polyester resin was
used as matrix for preparing the composites. Some
mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural
properties and chemical resistance properties were stud-
ied for these sisal/carbon fibre reinforced hybrid
composites.
Materials
Sisal fibres were collected from local sources. Woven cloth
of carbon was used for the present study. Unsaturated
polyester resin was used as matrix and this was taken from
Allied Marketing Ltd, Hyderabad, India. Methyl ethyl
ketone peroxide was used as a catalyst and cobalt naph-
thenate was used as an accelerator. These were taken from
M/S Bakelite Hylam, Hyderabad. The styrene monomer,
PVA, NaOH, toluene, benzene, carbon tetra chloride, nitric
acid, hydro chloric acid, and nitric acid, NaOH, Na2CO3
and NH4OH were purchased from SD Fine chemicals Ltd.
Methods
Sisal Fibre Treatment
The fibers were boiled in aqueous 18% NaOH solution for
30 min to remove the soluble greasy material in order to
J Polym Environ
enhance the adhesion characteristics between the fibre and
the matrix. The treated fiber was washed with water to
remove the excess of NaOH sticking to the fibres. Final
washing was carried out with distilled water and the fibres
were dried in hot air oven. The fibres were cut into 2 cm
length for molding the composites.
Preparation of Hybrid Composite
The different combinations (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75,
0/100) were selected to do hybrid sisal/carbon /polyester
laminates by fixing the fibre length i.e. 2 cm. Unsatu-
rated polyester resin and styrene are mixed in the ratio
100:25 parts by weight respectively. Later, 1 wt% methyl
ethyl ketone peroxide and 1 wt% cobalt naphthenate
were added and mixed thoroughly. This system was
processed by hand lay-up technique for making test
specimens. In order to make the test specimens, the
matrix system is poured into a mould made of glass
plates. The mould was coated with a thin layer of
aqueous solution of poly vinyl alcohol (10 wt%), which
acts as a good releasing agent. Excess resin and air
bubbles were removed carefully with a roller, and a glass
plate was placed on top. The castings were allowed to
24 h at room temperature and post cured at 80°C for 4 h.
Test specimens of the required size followed by ASTM
standards were cut out from sheets.
Mechanical Tests
The tensile test specimens were cut as per ASTM D 638
and flexural test specimens were cut as ASTM D 618
specifications. The tests were measured by employing a
Universal Testing Machine (INSTRON model 3369). Five
samples were tested in each case and the average value is
reported.
Chemical Resistance Test
The chemical resistance tests of untreated and 18% NaOH
boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites have been tested by
using the ASTM D 543-87 [26]. The effect of solvents
(benzene, toluene, carbon tetra chloride and distilled
water), acids (hydrochloric acid (10%), acetic acid (5%)
and nitric acid 40%) and alkalies (sodium hydroxide,
sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide) on matrix
and sisal/carbon hybrid composites In each case five pre
weighed samples were dipped in the respective chemical
reagents for 24 h. They were then removed and immedi-
ately washed in distilled water and dried by pressing them
on both sides with a filter paper at room temperature. The
samples were then weighed and the percentage weight loss/
gain was determined.
Results and Discussions
Tensile Properties
Tensile strength and tensile modulus measurements are
among the most important indications of strength in a
material and are most widely specified property. Tensile
test is a measurement of the ability of a material to with-
stand forces that tend to pull it apart and to determine to
what extent the material stretches before breaking. Tensile
modulus, an indication of the relative stiffness of a mate-
rial, can be determined from a stress strain diagram. Ten-
sile strength and tensile modulus of matrix and randomly
oriented untreated sisal/carbon fibre reinforced hybrid
composites and 18% aqueous NaOH boiled sisal/carbon
fibre hybrid composites with different fibre weight ratios
i.e. 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 were presented in
the Table 1. From the table, it was observed that tensile
strength and tensile modulus increases with carbon fibre
loading. It was also seen that tensile strength and modulus
of matrix is lower than the hybrid composites. This
enhancement indicates the effectiveness of the reinforce-
ment. It was also observed from the table that 18% aqueous
boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites have higher tensile
strength and tensile modulus than untreated sisal/carbon
hybrid composites. Improvement of tensile properties are
due to the surface modification of sisal fibres boiled with
18% aqueous NaOH. Boiling the fibre with 18% aqueous
NaOH gives the surface of the fibre more roughness due to
the removal of lignin and hemi cellulose. This increases the
interface bonding between the fibre and the matrix.
Figures 1 and 2 shows the variation of tensile strength
and tensile modulus of untreated and 18% aqueous NaOH
boiled sisal /carbon fibre reinforced hybrid composites with
different fibre weight ratios. From the figures it was
observed that tensile strength and tensile modulus increases
with increase in the carbon fibre content in hybrid com-
posites. It was also observed that carbon fibre composites
have higher tensile strength than these hybrid composites.
It was seen that 18% aqueous NaOH boiled sisal fibre/
carbon fibre composites possess higher tensile strength than
untreated sisal/carbon fibre hybrid composites, because of
the rough surface topography of the sisal fibre after alkali
treatment.
Flexural Properties
Flexural strength is one of the important mechanical
properties of the composites. For a composite to be used as
the structural materials it must possess higher flexural
strength. The flexural strength and modulus values for
different weight ratios of (i.e. 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75
and 0:100) untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal /carbon
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 J Polym Environ

Table 1 Tensile strength and modulus of different weight ratios of untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon fibre reinforced hybrid
composites
S.No Fibre weight Tensile strength (MPa) Tensile modulus (GPa)
ratios sisal/carbon
Untreated 18% aqueous Untreated 18% aqueous
NaOH boiled NaOH boiled

1 100:0 24.16 78.22 1.37 1.96

2 75:25 31.35 84.74 1.68 1.99
3 50:50 38.3 93.97 1.97 2.17
4 25:75 50.85 107.51 2.37 2.78
5 0:100 122.11 122.11 2.98 2.98
6. Matrix 22.42 983.98

Fig. 1 Variation of tensile strength of different weight ratios of Fig. 2 Variation of tensile modulus of different weight ratios of
untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites

hybrid composites are presented in Table 2. For compari-
son these values for the matrix are also presented in the
same table. It is observed that the flexural strength and
modulus for different fibre weight ratios of the composites
are more when alkali boiled fibre was used in the com-
posites. From table it is clearly evident that the flexural
strength and modulus of the hybrid composites are higher
than those of the matrix. From the table it is also observed
that the flexural strength and flexural modulus increases
with increase the carbon fibre content in the hybrid
composite.
The variation of flexural strength and flexural modulus
of untreated and 18% aqueous NaOH boiled sisal /carbon
hybrid composites with different weight ratios of fibres in
hybrid composites are presented in Figs. 3 and 4. It is
clearly seen in the figures that flexural strength and flexural
modulus increases with carbon fibre content. From the
figures it is observed that the flexural properties of the sisal
fibre reinforced composites were considerably lower than
those for the carbon fibre reinforced composites and hence,
as the carbon fibre is added to the sisal in the hybrid
composite, the properties were improved. From the figures
it is also observed that 18% aqueous NaOH boiled sisal /
carbon hybrid composites have higher flexural strength
than untreated sisal/carbon hybrid composites. A possible
enhancement of the bonding between the reinforcement

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Table 2 Flexural strength and modulus of different weight ratios of untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon fibre reinforced hybrid
composites
S.No Fibre weight Flexural strength (MPa) Flexural modulus (GPa)
ratios sisal/carbon
Untreated 18% aqueous NaOH boiled Untreated 18% aqueous NaOH boiled

1 100:0 63.87 138.78 3.79 5.32

2 75:25 90.55 140.89 4.25 6.52
3 50:50 131.48 158.31 7.97 8.69
4 25:75 148.78 169.14 9.35 11.33
5 0:100 176.53 176.53 13.47 13.47
6 Matrix 58.11 – 1.02 –

Fig. 3 Variation of flexural strength of different weight ratios of

untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites Fig. 4 Variation of flexural modulus of different weight ratios of
untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites

and the matrix by the alkali treatment responsible for the
increased flexural properties. This is due to the fact that
alkali treatment improves the adhesive characteristics of
sisal fibre surface by removing hemi cellulose, thereby
producing rough surface topography. This topography
offers better fibre matrix interface adhesion and an increase
in mechanical properties.
Chemical Resistance Properties
the table, it is clearly evident that weight gain is observed
for almost all chemical reagents used when the fibre of the
composites were untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal
fibres. But the weight loss was observed when the samples
were immersed in carbon tetra chloride, because the cross
linked polyesters are easily attracted by chlorinated
hydrocarbons. The ester groups in the polymer provide
sites for hydrolytic attack and the strong alkalis cause
appreciable degradation.

The chemical resistance study was to test the composites

were capable of withstanding exposure to a variety of Conclusions
chemicals. The percent weight gain (?) or loss (-) values
when the composites and matrix materials are immersed in The mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural
solvents, acids and alkalis are presented in Table 3. From properties of untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon

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Table 3 Chemical resistance properties of untreated and 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon hybrid composites for different chemicals
Chemicals Matrix Different weight ratios of untreated sisal/carbon hybrid Different weight ratios of 18% NaOH boiled sisal/carbon
composites hybrid composites
100:0 75:25 50:50 25:75 0:100 100:0 75:25 50:50 25:75 0:100

Toluene 0.73 1.234 3.854 3.860 3.658 4.95 0.224 3.422 4.031 1.941 4.951
Benzene 0.618 5.172 0.813 2.583 4.314 3.833 0.492 0.056 4.593 5.063 3.833
ccl4 -0.55 -1.218 -1.116 -0.351 -1.012 -0.354 -0.363 -0.185 -0.731 -0.359 -0.354
H2O 0.618 1.982 2.082 1.481 1.377 0.415 6.828 1.577 1.408 0.607 0.415
CH3COOH (5%) 0.532 0.121 3.705 1.203 1.220 0.467 0.287 1.640 0.850 0.558 0.467
HCL (10%) 0.235 0.543 1.620 1.299 1.072 0.314 0.543 0.643 0.497 0.648 0.314
HNO3 (40%) 0.323 0.320 2.021 1.481 1.964 0.518 0.760 0.673 0.780 0.868 0.518
NaOH (10%) 0.44 0.721 1.369 0.089 1.686 1.365 1.993 3.742 0.028 2.821 1.365
Na2CO3 (20%) 0.02 0.325 1.600 1.731 1.463 0.179 0.314 0.762 0.456 0.146 0.179
NH4OH (10%) 0.650 0.765 5.448 4.093 3.831 2.069 0.483 1.754 2.997 3.358 2.069

hybrid composites were studied. The variation of tensile
and flexural properties of these hybrid composites were
studied by different weight ratios. The chemical resistance
tests of these hybrid composites were also studied. It is
observed that their has been enhancement in these tensile
and flexural properties with increases carbon fibre content
in the hybrid composites. The effect of alkali treatment of
sisal fibres on the tensile and flexural properties have also
been studied and found that increase in properties by alkali
treatment. It was observed that 18% NaOH boiled sisal/
carbon fibre reinforced hybrid composites showed superior
tensile and flexural properties than untreated sisal/carbon
hybrid composites. This is due to the fact that alkali
treatment improves the fibre surface adhesion characteris-
tics by removing hemicellulose, thereby producing rough
surface topography. This topography offers better fibre-
matrix interface adhesion and an increase in mechanical
properties. The chemical resistance study clearly indicates
that the untreated and treated composites are strongly
resistant to all chemicals except carbon tetra chloride.
Acknowledgements The researchers would like to thank the Uni-
versity Sains Malaysia, Penang for providing Post doctoral fellow-
ship, USM fellowship and research Grant 1001/PTEKIND/841020
that has made this work possible. Author also thankful to Department
of Polymer science and technology, Sri Krishna Deva raya University,
Anantapur, India.
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