Characterization of bulk agro‐green composites: Sisal fiber reinforced wheat flour thermoplastics

Abstract Starch based thermoplastic composites reinforced by short sisal fibers having length less than 1 mm were fabricated by extrusion followed by compression molding. The sisal fiber content varied from 0 to 10% w/w keeping the amount of glycerol (plasticizer) as constant (23% w/w). Investigation proved that an increase in the amount of sisal fibers will decrease the ductile nature of composites. The Young's modulus and hardness value increases as a function of fiber content. The impact strength varied as a function of fiber content. Contact angle analysis showed that incorporation of sisal fibers to the matrix increases its hydrophilic nature. The polar factor and total surface energy increases as a function of fiber content whereas dispersive factor decreases. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers