Studies of Sisal Fiber-Containing Composites

The composite materials are of significant importance to the current technological development. Any type of fiber, mechanical properties of which make it exploitable, should be thoroughly studied from the point of view of its potential applications. Our study has been focused on sisal plant fiber that is a local product in the countries of Mediterranean rim. The choice of the sisal plant for its possible industrial application resulted, on the one hand, from its availability in the Mediterranean Basin, and on the other hand, from its high content of fibers necessary for the development of a composite. Results of the determination of the physicomechanical properties of sisal fibers and experiments on the mechanical behavior of a composite consisting of saturated polyester matrix and polyepoxy resin reinforced by either sisal fiber or by glass fiber with different percentages are presented in the paper.