Preparation and properties of agave fiber-reinforced polystyrene composites

In the present work, Agave americana fibers have been used as a reinforcement in the preparation of polystyrene matrix-based biocomposites using compression molding technique. The composites thus prepared were subjected to the evaluation of different mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive and flexural strength. The results obtained suggest that composites reinforced with agave fibers exhibited better mechanical properties than neat polystyrene. The morphological and thermal properties of matrix, fibers and composites have also been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Further composites were subjected to the evaluation of physicochemical properties such as swelling behavior in different solvents and resistance to acid, alkali and salt of 1 N strength for different time intervals.