Effect of Fiber Treatments on Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Polycaprolactone/Sisal Biocomposites

Sisal fibers treated with four methods, namely washing with water, washing with cyclohexane/ethanol, alkali treatment (NaOH) and bleaching (alkaline peroxide treatment), were incorporated in thermoplastic starch/polycaprolactone 80/20 (TPS/PCL) samples. Morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of TPS/PCL/Sisal biocomposites were analysed. The best results were obtained with the composite using the bleached fiber, which had improved tensile strength and thermal stability. An increased adhesion between the fiber and matrix was also observed with the bleached fiber, with 145% increase in the tensile strength