Improvement of the interfacial compatibility between sugar cane bagasse fibers and polystyrene for composites

Sugar cane bagasse fibers were modified by surface treatments using either physical or chemical methods in order to improve their adhesion to polystyrene matrices. The surface treatment methods used were alkaline treatment, treatment with silane coupling agents, physical coating with polystyrene and grafting of polystyrene with and without crosslinker. Fiber modifications were monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Thermal Analysis coupled with Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA‐TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). On the other hand, the improvement of the adhesion between sugar cane modified fibers and polystyrene was assessed by micromechanical pull‐out and by macromechanical Iosipescu tests. It was found, from Interfacial Shear Strength values (IFSS), that substantial improvements in fiber‐matrix compatibility were achieved. According to micro‐ and macromechanical test results, the IFSS increased for all treated fibers as compared to non‐treated fibers. Particularly, both the coating the fibers or grafting with polystyrene using crosslinker resulted in substantial adhesion improvement to the polystyrene matrix in comparison with the non‐treated fibers and fibers treated by alkaline and silane methods only. Polym. Compos. 25:134–145, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.