Mechanical, Thermal, and Interfacial Characterization of Randomly Oriented Short Sisal Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Composite Modified with Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Short sisal fibers were reinforced in epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) modified toughened epoxy blends to improve the mechanical and thermo mechanical properties. Tensile modulus and tensile strength of the composite with 15 wt% sisal fiber were found to be increased as compared with bio-based epoxy blend. From DTG analysis, rate of degradation peak is found to be shifted to higher temperature revealing enhanced thermal stability of composite over base matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis predicted higher storage modulus and higher glass transition temperature of bio-based epoxy composite. Scanning electron micrographs showed strong fiber-matrix adhesion. Contact angle measurement reveals the hydrophilic character of bio-based epoxy composite