Mechanical and Surface Characterization of Sisal Fiber (Agave Sisalana) After Cold Glow Discharge Oxygen Plasma Treatment

Abstract

Agave sisalana is a rosette-forming succulent plant farmed primarily for its fibers, Sisal is utilized in cordage primarily along with its toughness, longevity, stretchability, propensity towards particular colorants and saltwater tolerance Sisal fibers have just low compactness, are readily available, and are sustainable and environmentally friendly, although they have inherent drawbacks, including hydrophilicity with performance variability. Even though these composites have been natural fiber-reinforced, their composite structure including chemical characteristics attributable to mechanical characteristics has always been associated with a better. The application of cold glow discharge oxygen treatment on sisal fibers was investigated in this study. Unidirectional Sisal fibers had been surface treated with cold glow discharge plasma oxygen throughout this research, as well as the impact on mechanical properties would always be investigated. To increase the combination of sisal fiber with epoxy resin, oxygen plasma treatments were employed to enhance the characteristics of sisal fibers at varied cold glow discharge plasma energies 80W, as well as 120 W for 30 minutes. Oxygen plasma modification employing cold glow discharge once compared to an untreated sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy laminate, 80W(30min.) of sisal fiber offered the sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite (SFREC) with well almost 76.92 % substantially greater interlaminar shear strength, 56.94 % comparatively stronger flexural strength, 76.41 % relatively improved larger elongation break, and 58.56 % tremendously greater tensile strength. The morphological characteristics of cold glow discharge were examined employing FT-IR spectroscopy and (XRD). Oxygen plasma-treated sisal fibers performed better than untreated sisal fibers in terms of surface structure. Sisal fibers have been exploited for engineering applications after becoming surface-treated, rendering them an appealing and competitive material that contributes to the world's objective of supporting self-sustaining and biodegradable natural materials.