Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297

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Materials and Design

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Technical Report

Natural fiber reinforced polystyrene composites: Effect of fiber loading, fiber

dimensions and surface modification on mechanical properties
A.S. Singha ⇑, Raj K. Rana
Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, HP 177 005, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Natural fibers have been found to be excellent reinforcing materials for preparing polymer matrix based
Received 6 March 2012 composites. In the present study both raw and surface modified Agave fiber reinforced polystyrene
Accepted 2 May 2012 matrix based composites were prepared in order to explore the effect of reinforcement on the mechanical
Available online 15 May 2012
properties of the matrix. The surface modification of Agave fiber was carried out by graft copolymeriza-
tion of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto it in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as initiator.
For preparing these composites different fiber contents of both raw and grafted fibers (10–30% by weight)
have been used. It has been found that 20% fiber content gives optimum mechanical properties. The effect
of different fiber dimensions (particle, short and long fibers) on the mechanical properties of the compos-
ites has also been investigated. It has been found that particle reinforcement gives better mechanical
properties than short and long fiber reinforcement. The composites thus prepared have been character-
ized by Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TGA/
DTA techniques. Further the surface modified fiber reinforced composites have been found to be ther-
mally more stable than that of raw fiber reinforced composites.
Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Due to increased environmental concerns natural fibers have
recently attracted a great attention as reinforcement for the syn-
thesis of fiber reinforced polymer matrix based composites [1–3].
These composites have an added advantage of being cheap [4], eas-
ily available, nonabrasive, easy to process, high specific strength
[5] and biodegradable [6] in nature. Among various polymer matri-
ces, thermoplastics are mostly used in the manufacture of plastic/
wood composites [7]. Polystyrene is one of the most important
thermoplastic which is in great demand due to its transparency,
fluidity and good electrical insulation properties [8,9].
Being hydrophilic in nature, these fibers are not compatible with
hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices. However the compatibility of
these fibers can be enhanced by surface modification techniques
which include use of compatibilizers [10], esterification, silane
treatment [11], benzoylation, acetylation [12], plasma treatment
[13], peroxide, permanganate treatment [14] and graft copolymeri-
zation [15] etc. Among various chemical treatments graft copoly-
merization has been found to be most efficient to develop
hydrophobic character through incorporation of hydrophobic poly-
mer chains onto the fiber surface without affecting the existing
⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 1972 254120; fax: +91 1972 222584.
E-mail addresses: singhaasnit@gmail.com, asingha@nith.ac.in (A.S. Singha),
rajrananith@gmail.com (R.K. Rana).
properties of the natural fiber [16]. The use of surface modified fibers
results in composites having better mechanical properties. Arif et al.
investigated the effect of alkali and silane treatments on the
mechanical properties of oil palm empty bunch reinforced high den-
sity polythene composites and found that composite showed en-
hanced tensile and flexural strength as compared to untreated coir
fiber reinforced composites [17]. Raj et al. investigated the effect
of isocyanate treatment on the tensile and impact strength of wood
fiber reinforced polythene composites and found that improvement
in tensile and impact strength was achieved when isocyanate trea-
ted fibers were incorporated into the polythene matrix [18].
The mechanical properties also depend upon content and disper-
sion of the fibers used. In order to achieve good fiber/matrix inter-
face, polymer matrix should sufficiently wet the fiber surface. The
optimum fiber content favours the extent of wetting by matrix poly-
mer and results in strong interfacial bond. Fiber length also plays an
important role in homogeneous distribution of mechanical strength
in a composite. For a composite to have optimum mechanical prop-
erties, the fiber length must have a certain minimum value known
as critical fiber length [19]. Nystrom et al. investigated the effect
of fiber length, fiber orientation and fiber/matrix adhesion on
mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composites and
found that length/diameter ratio and fiber/matrix adhesion strongly
affects the mechanical properties of composites [20].
The present study is focused upon the utilization of Agave amer-
icana biofibers (a waste biomass) as reinforcement for preparation

0261-3069/$ - see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.05.001
290 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297
of polystyrene composites. These fibers have been extracted from
the leaves of wild growing plant abundantly available in small hilly
areas of Himachal Pradesh (India). Both raw as well as MMA
grafted fibers have been used as reinforcement in particle, short
and long form for the preparation of polystyrene composites. The
composite samples have been prepared with different fiber content
ranging from 10 to 30% by weight and their mechanical properties
have also been investigated.
2. Experimental details
2.1. Materials and instrumentation
Agave fibers used as reinforcement were extracted from leaves
of A. americana plants by water retting method. Methyl methacry-
late (MMA), ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and benzoyl peroxide
(BP) were supplied by CDH chemicals. Styrene was supplied by
Acros chemicals (USA). Composite blocks were prepared on com-
pression molding machine supplied by Santec India Ltd. The
mechanical properties of composites were evaluated on universal
testing machine of Hounsfield H25KS make. Impact strength tests
were performed on impact tester (Tinius Olsen Impact 104). Leo
435 VP electron microscopy machine was used to perform mor-
phology studies. The thermal studies were carried out on thermal
analyzer of Perkin Elmer Pyris Diamond make at a constant heating
rate of 10 °C/min. FT-IR spectra were recorded on Perkin Elmer in-
fra red spectrophotometer.
2.2. Methods
2.2.1. Surface modification
Prior to graft copolymerization the Agave fibers were freed from
any impurities by extraction with acetone for 72 h in a soxhlet
apparatus. The purified fibers were then immersed for 24 h in dis-
tilled water. The fiber sample was then transferred to a reaction
kettle containing 100 ml of distilled water used as solvent in the
grafting reaction. A definite amount of CAN and concentrated nitric
acid was added to the reaction mixture which was followed by the
addition of definite amount of MMA in small fractions with con-
stant stirring. The grafted sample was taken out and extracted with
acetone to remove any homopolymer formed during the reaction.
The grafted sample was dried in hot air oven at 60 °C. The various
reaction parameters such as reaction time, temperature, monomer,
nitric acid and initiator concentration were optimized and graft
copolymers prepared under optimum reaction conditions were
used as reinforcement for preparation of composites.
2.2.2. Polystyrene matrix (PS)
Polystyrene resin was synthesized by free radical polymeriza-
tion of styrene in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as initiator.
The reaction mixture was heated to 60 °C and temperature was
kept constant till resinification. After resinification the resin was
allowed to cool to room temperature and then transferred to spe-
cially designed molds of dimensions 150 mm  150 mm  5 mm.
Internal surface of the mold was coated with oleic acid for an easy
removal of the polymer blocks.
2.2.3. Composite fabrication
Prior to their use as reinforcement raw and grafted fibers were
ground/chopped into particle, short fiber and long fiber form.
2.2.3.1. Particle reinforcement. Raw Agave fibers and fibers grafted
with MMA of 90 lm dimensions were used as particle
reinforcement.
2.2.3.2. Short fiber reinforcement. The fibers of 3 mm length were
used as short fiber reinforcement.
2.2.3.3. Long fiber reinforcement. Raw as well as MMA grafted fibers
of 8 mm length were used as long fibers for reinforcement. The fi-
ber reinforcements in different forms were dried in hot air oven at
80 °C for 24 h prior to the fabrication of polymer composites.
The polymer composites were prepared in specially designed
molds of dimensions 150 mm  150 mm  5 mm. Raw as well as
MMA grafted fibers of different dimensions were spread between
five alternate layers of PS resin by hand layup method. The molds
were then hot pressed in compression molding machine at a
pressure of 200 kg/cm2 preheated at a temperature of 80 °C. The
composites were cured for 12 h at 100 °C.
3. Characterization of fibers and PS composites
3.1. FT-IR analysis
FT-IR spectra of PS and PS composites reinforced with raw and
MMA grafted Agave fibers were recorded on Perkin Elmer infra red
spectrophotometer using KBr pellets (Sigma Aldrich, USA) over a
range of 4000–500 cm1.
3.2. Thermal analysis
Thermal analysis of raw, MMA grafted fibers and PS composites
reinforced with fibers of different dimensions was carried out in
order to study the thermal stability of PS composites. Thermal
behaviors of raw, MMA grafted fiber, PS and PS composites were
examined using thermo gravimetric analyzer (Perkin Elmer) over
a temperature range of 25–1000 °C at a constant heating rate of
10 °C/min in air.
3.3. SEM analysis
The SEM analysis of raw and MMA grafted fibers was carried out
to study the changes taking place in surface morphology of Agave
fibers as a result of graft copolymerization. In case of PS composites
SEM were recorded to study the changes in interface at fractured
surfaces. Scanning electron micrographs were recorded on Leo
Electron Microscopy machine (435-VP) at an accelerating voltage
of 20 kV. The test samples were mounted on aluminium stubs
and gold coated in order to avoid electrical charge accumulation
during examination. The fiber and composites samples were
scanned at 500 and 1000 times magnification respectively.
3.4. Mechanical analysis
The tensile tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM D
3039 [21] on universal testing machine. The samples of dimensions
100 mm  10 mm  5 mm were used for analysis. The sample of
100 mm length was clamped between the jaws of machine with
each end covering 20 mm of sample. The tensile load was applied
over 60 mm span length at a constant strain rate of 10 mm/min.
Tensile load was applied till failure. The compressive test of com-
posite specimens was carried out on computerized universal test-
ing machine in accordance with ASTM D 3410 [22]. The test
specimen was held between two platforms of the machine and
compressive load was applied over 25 mm span length at a
constant strain rate of 10 mm/min till failure. Tensile/Compressive
strength was calculated as per method given below:
F
Tensile=Compressive Stress ¼ ð1Þ
A0
where F is the applied load, and A0 is the cross sectional area of the
specimen.
 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297
The three point bending test was performed in accordance with
ASTM D 790 [23] on universal testing machine. The specimens of
dimensions 100 mm  10 mm  5 mm were used for flexural
strength analysis. The span length was fixed 50 mm and test was
conducted at constant strain rate of 2.54 mm/min. The flexural
stress was calculated from the values of load applied and deflec-
tions obtained from the flexural strength tests on universal testing
machine using the following formula:
3PL
Flexural Stress ¼ ð2Þ
2
2bd
where P is the load at a given point on load deflection curve (N), L is
span length (mm), b is width of specimen (mm), and d is the depth
of specimen (mm).
The notched Izod impact strength tests were conducted at room
temperature in accordance with ASTM D 256 [24] on impact tester
(Tinius Olsen Impact 104). The specimens of dimensions
63.5 mm  10 mm  3.5 mm were used for impact strength analy-
sis. Before testing a notch was developed on each specimen at an
angle of 45° and 2–2.5 mm depth. The specimen was clamped in
a square support and was struck at the central point by a hemi-
spherical bolt of diameter 5 mm.
4. Results and discussion
4.1. FI-IR analysis
The FT-IR spectrum of rawA. americana fiber showed a broad peak
at 603 cm1 (due to out of plane AOH bending), 898 cm1 (due to b-
glycosidic linkage), 1257.9 cm1 (due to CAOAC and AC@O stretch-
ing in xylan side substituent and lignin aromatic C@O stretching),
milder peaks at 1381.2 to1432.0 cm1 (due to ACH, ACH2 and
ACH3 bending), 1505.8 cm1 (lignin aromatic ring vibration and
stretching), 1652.7 cm1 (due to HAOAH bending of absorbed water
and for lignin CAH deformation), 2138.7 cm1 (due to OAH stretch-
ing of absorbed moisture), 2368.5 cm1 (due to CAH stretching in
polysaccharide chains), 2918.1 cm1 (for CAH stretching vibration
of aliphatic methylene groups) and 3397.1 cm1 (due to bonded
AOH group). However additional peak at 1735.2 was observed in
case of MMA grafted fiber which is peculiar to the ester stretching
vibrations of carbonyl group (>C@O) present in MMA.
FTIR spectrum of neat polystyrene showed peaks at 537.1 cm1
(out of plane bending of phenyl ring), 695.1 cm1 (due to out of plane
bending of CAH of benzene ring), 753.8 cm1 (due to CAC deforma-
tion in mono substituted benzene ring), 906.2 cm1 (Aromatic CAH
stretching), 1447.1, 1489.9 and 1598.4 cm1 (due to C@C stretching
in benzene ring), 2851.8 cm1 (symmetric CAH stretching in CH2),
2922.3 cm1 (asymmetric CAH stretching in CH2), 3024.9,
3060 cm1 (due to CAH stretching of benzene ring). However
polystyrene composites reinforced with raw Agave fibers exhibited
additional peaks at 1271.0 cm1 (due to CAOAC and C@O stretching
in Xylan side substituent and lignin aromatic C@O stretching),
1654.0 cm1 (due to HAOAH bending of absorbed water and CAH
deformation of lignin), 3432.5 cm1 (due to OAH stretching of H-
bonded groups). Further an additional peak at 1734.3 cm1 due to
ester stretching of carbonyl group (C@O) present in MMA was ob-
served in case of polystyrene composites reinforced with MMA
grafted fibers. The FI-IR analysis confirmed the presence of raw as
well as MMA grafted fibers in the samples of PS composites. The re-
sults of FT-IR analysis have been shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
4.2. Thermal analysis
From the results of thermal analysis it has been observed that
initial decomposition temperature (IDT) for raw and MMA grafted
291
fiber was 240.15 and 281.25 °C respectively. The final decomposi-
tion temperature (FDT) of raw and MMA grafted Agave fiber was
442 and 465.12 °C respectively. From the values of IDT and FDT
for raw and MMA grafted fibers, it has been observed that graft
copolymerization of MMA onto Agave fibers resulted in the
enhancement of thermal stability. This enhancement in thermal
stability may be attributed to the incorporation of poly (MMA)
chains on the surface of Agave fibers.
The IDT and FDT of polystyrene resin have been found to be
295 °C and 419 °C respectively. DTA curve of polystyrene resin
exhibited exothermic/endothermic peaks at 318 °C (15.88 lV),
395 °C (4.82 lV), 486 °C (14.47 lV). Further in DTG curve exother-
mic peak has been observed at 391 °C with a weight loss of
1.84 mg/min.
The IDT of raw Agave fiber reinforced PS composites (20% by wt.
content) has been found to be 300 °C whereas FDT is 474 °C. Sim-
ilarly IDT of MMA grafted fiber reinforced PS composites has been
found to be 318 °C and FDT has been found to be 525 °C. Thermo-
grams of raw, MMA grafted fiber, PS resin and PS composites rein-
forced with raw and MMA grafted fibers have been shown in
Fig. 3a–g. It has been observed from the above data that IDTs and
FDTs of PS composites reinforced with raw as well as MMA grafted
fibers are higher than neat PS. Further PS composites reinforced
with MMA grafted Agave fibers have higher decomposition tem-
peratures as compared to raw fiber reinforced composites. The
trends in thermal stability of PS composites reinforced with raw
as well as MMA grafted Agave fibers are similar to that observed
by Nair et al. [12]. The higher decomposition temperatures of com-
posites reinforced with grafted fibers may be attributed to better
fiber/matrix adhesion achieved as a result of surface modification
which further increases the thermal stability.
4.3. SEM analysis
On comparing the scanning electron micrographs, a clear
change in the surface morphology of Agave fibers can be observed
upon grafting with MMA. It has been observed that grafting of
polymer chains on to the surface of Agave fibers caused increase
in the surface roughness, which may probably be due to the depo-
sition of poly (MMA) chains on the surface of the fiber. Further
clear cut change in the morphology of the PS resin has been ob-
served when reinforced with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers.
Scanning electron micrographs of raw, MMA grafted fiber, PS re-
sin and tensile fractured composites reinforced with raw, MMA
grafted Agave fibers of different dimensions have been represented
in Fig. 4a–i. In case of composites reinforced with raw as well as
MMA grafted Agave fibers in particle form, uniform mixing of the
particles with matrix has been observed. It has also been observed
from these micrographs that fibers undergo agglomeration when
reinforced in the form of long dimensions, which may also lead
to decrease in the mechanical properties of composites.
4.4. Mechanical analysis
4.4.1. Tensile strength
Tensile strength of neat polystyrene increases considerably
when reinforced with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers of
different dimensions. The results of tensile studies have been given
in Fig. 5a and b. It is clear from the figure that neat PS exhibited
tensile strength of 19.90 MPa whereas PS composites reinforced
with short raw Agave fibers exhibited tensile strength of 21.24,
22.44, 24.68, 23.70 and 23.30 MPa at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%
fiber loading respectively. Similarly PS composites exhibited ten-
sile strength of 20.36, 21.46, 22.86, 22.12, and 21.32 MPa and
26.42, 27.70, 34.16, 29.20, and 26.54 MPa when reinforced with
raw Agave fibers in the form of long fibers and particles
292 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297
Fig. 1. FT-IR spectra of (a) raw Agave fiber, (b) MMA grafted fiber.
respectively at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight fiber loading.
Further it has been observed that polystyrene composites exhib-
ited a tensile strength of 22.48, 24.54, 28.50, 27.24, and
25.56 MPa when reinforced with MMA grafted short Agave fibers,
22.04, 23.74, 25.24, 23.78, and 22.64 MPa when reinforced with
MMA grafted long Agave fibers and 28.48, 28.90, 43.76, 33.24,
and 27.74 MPa when reinforced with MMA grafted Agave fibers
in particle form at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% fiber loading respec-
tively. Arrakhiz et al. also reported a noticeable increase in the ten-
sile strength of high density polythene when reinforced with 20%
by weight chemically treated coir fibers [2]. Joseph et al. also ob-
served enhancement in the tensile properties of low density poly-
thene upon reinforcement with chemically treated sisal fibers [14].
4.4.2. Compressive strength
Composites reinforced with raw as well as MMA grafted fibers
have shown enhanced compressive strength. The results of com-
pressive strengths studies have been shown in Fig. 5c and d. Neat
PS exhibited compressive strength of 52.80 MPa whereas PS com-
posites reinforced with raw Agave fibers exhibited a compressive
strength 63.70, 66.74, 84.36, 77.64, and 71.90 MPa when rein-
forced in the form of short fibers, 61.56, 65.28, 82.32, 74.30, and
68.42 MPa when reinforced in the form of long fibers and 68.74,
72.24, 91.40, 82.98, and 74.42 MPa when reinforced in particle
form at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight fiber loading respec-
tively. Similarly PS composites reinforced with MMA grafted fibers
exhibited a compressive strength 65.08, 68.52, 93.70, 79.90, and
73.60 MPa when reinforced in the form of short fibers, 62.80,
66.22, 88.38, 76.12, and 71.90 MPa when reinforced in the form
of long fibers and 73.76, 76.48, 97.36, 87.14, and 78.36 MPa when
reinforced in particle form at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight
fiber loading respectively.
4.4.3. Flexural strength
Fig. 5e and f represents the results of flexural studies. The flex-
ural strength of neat PS is 34.69 MPa which increases upon rein-
forcement with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers of different
dimensions. PS composites reinforced with raw Agave fibers exhib-
ited flexural strength 43.05, 49.27, 74.03, 61.62 and 54.52 MPa
when reinforced in the form of short fibers, 38.10, 44.70, 71.10,
57.30, and 50.40 MPa when reinforced in the form of long fibers
and 56.10, 66.30, 95.10, 80.70 and 64.20 MPa when reinforced in
particle form at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight fiber loading
respectively. Similarly PS composites reinforced with MMA grafted
fibers exhibited flexural strength 60.33, 67.03, 90.86, 80.94 and
73.66 MPa when reinforced in the form of short fibers, 56.10,
63.30, 87.30, 76.20 and 66.30 MPa when reinforced in the form
of long fibers, 67.20, 78.90, 105.30, 96.90 and 84.30 MPa when
reinforced in particle form at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight
fiber loading respectively.
From the above data it has been observed that the composites
with reinforcement in particle form can withstand maximum load
before failure followed by short fiber and long fiber reinforced
composites. Sbiai et al. observed similar trends in the mechanical
properties of epoxy composites prepared by reinforcing date palm
tree fibers of short and long dimensions [25]. Yemele et al. reported
similar trends in tensile and flexural properties when high density
polythene was reinforced with bark fiber of short, long and particle
 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297 293

Fig. 2. FT-IR spectra of (a) PS resin and PS composites reinforced with, (b) raw, and (c) MMA grafted fibers.

dimensions with 50% and 60% by weight loading [26]. The highest
mechanical strength for particle reinforced composites may be
attributed to the strong fiber/matrix adhesion due to greater surface
area of particle reinforcement. In case of PS composites reinforced
with Agave fibers in short and long forms, the former exhibited
higher mechanical strength. The lower mechanical strength of long
fiber reinforced composites may be attributed to the fact that the
length of the long fiber reinforcement exceeds the critical fiber
length which results in poor fiber/matrix interface. As a result to
which the load cannot be transfer efficiently from matrix onto the
fibers. Further the composites reinforced with MMA grafted fibers
exhibited higher mechanical strength as compared to composites
reinforced with raw Agave fibers. The higher value of mechanical
properties of composites reinforced with grafted Agave fibers may
be due to the reason that as a result of graft copolymerization,
MMA chains are incorporated on the surface of fibers which develop
hydrophobic character on the fibers. These hydrophobic grafted fi-
bers can form strong interface with hydrophobic PS matrix.
4.4.4. Impact Strength
Impact strength of polystyrene matrix increases considerably
when reinforced with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers of differ-
ent dimensions. The results of impact strength studies have been
shown in Fig. 5g and h. Neat PS exhibited impact strength of
2.28 kJ/mm2 which increases considerably when PS is reinforced
with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers of different dimensions.
PS composites reinforced with raw Agave fibers exhibited impact
strength 4.14, 4.49, 5.44, 5.08 and 4.55 kJ/mm2 when reinforced
in the form of short fibers, 4.02, 7.17, 9.23, 7.62 and 5.38 kJ/mm2
when reinforced in the form of long fibers and 2.62, 2.54, 3.09,
294 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297

a e

b f

c g

Fig. 3. Thermograms of (a) raw fiber, (b) MMA grafted fiber, (c) PS resin and PS composites reinforced with, (d) raw particles, (e) raw short fibers, (f) MMA grafted particles,
and (g) MMA grafted short fibers.

2.87 and 2.72 kJ/mm2 when reinforced in particle form at 10%, 15%, in the form of short fibers, 5.67, 9.23, 13.33, 10.34, and 8.80 kJ/
20%, 25% and 30% by weight fiber loading respectively. Similarly PS mm2 when reinforced in the form of long fibers, 2.63, 3.26, 4.02,
composites reinforced with MMA grafted fibers exhibited impact 3.37 and 2.77 kJ/mm2 when reinforced in particle form at 10%,
strength 4.74, 5.88, 8.26, 7.74 and 5.97 kJ/mm2 when reinforced 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight fiber loading respectively. The
 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297 295

Fig. 4. SEM (a) raw fiber, (b) MMA grafted fiber, (c) PS resin and PS composites reinforced with, (d) raw particles, (e) raw short fibers, (f) raw long fibers, (g) MMA grafted
particles, (h) MMA grafted short fibers, and (i) MMA grafted long fibers.

trends of impact strength for composites reinforced with fibers of flexural strength. The composites reinforced with long fibers
different dimensions are reverse as for tensile, compressive and exhibited maximum impact strength followed by short fibers and
296 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297

a e

Flexural Strength (MPa)

Tensile Strength (MPa)
% Fiber Loading % Fiber Loading

b f
Tensile Strength(MPa)

% Fiber Loading Flexural Strength (MPa) % Fiber Loading

c g
Impact Strength (KJ/mm2)
Compressive Strgh (MPa)

% Fiber Loading % Fiber Loading

d h
Compressive Strgh (MPa)

Impact Strength (KJ/mm2)

% Fiber Loading % Fiber Loading

Fig. 5. (a–h) Mechanical properties of PS composites reinforced with raw and MMA grafted Agave fibers of different dimensions.

particle reinforced composites. Kim et al. also observed an increase
in impact strength of rice husk flour/PP composites with decrease
in the particle size because of good particle dispersion in the ma-
trix [27]. The impact performance of fiber reinforced composites
depends upon many factors such as nature of constituents, fiber–
matrix interface, dimensions of reinforcement and test conditions.
The impact failure of a composite occurs by factors such as matrix
fracture, fiber breakage, fiber/matrix debonding and fiber pull out.
The fiber/matrix debonding and hence fiber breakage has been
found to be an important energy dissipation mechanism in fiber
reinforced composites. When applied load transferred to fiber bun-
dle exceeds the fiber/matrix interfacial bond, fiber debonding oc-
curs. These fibers may be pulled out of the matrix which involves
the energy dissipation [28]. Further the composites having weak
interfacial bonding can propagate cracks and undergo interfacial
debonding. This leads to significant increase in the energy absorb-
ing capacity of the composite as a result of the large new surfaces
produced and frictional force resulting from differential displace-
ment between fibers and matrix. This increases the impact fatigue
resistance of the composites [29]. In case of long fiber reinforced
composites, poor fiber/matrix interface results in interfacial deb-
onding of fibers which extends to a greater length and hence in-
volves more energy dissipation as compared to the composites
reinforced with short fibers and particles. Therefore composites
reinforced with long fibers exhibited greater impact strength as
compared to the composites reinforced with short fibers and
particles.
It has also been observed from the above data that composites
with 20% fiber loading by weight exhibit optimum mechanical
properties. It can be explained on the basis that with initial
 A.S. Singha, R.K. Rana / Materials and Design 41 (2012) 289–297
increase in fiber loading in the composites, more and more applied
load in transferred from matrix onto reinforced fibers. However
after reaching the optimum value of percent fiber loading, further
increase in the fiber loading results in the insufficient wetting of fi-
bers by available polymer matrix.
5. Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the test re-
sults of the present work
1. PS composites reinforced with raw as well as MMA grafted
Agave fibers exhibited highest mechanical strength when rein-
forced with 20% fiber loading by weight.
2. The mechanical properties of the composites reinforced with
MMA grafted fibers were found to be better than raw fiber rein-
forced composites.
3. Among different fiber dimensions, the particle reinforced com-
posites were found to exhibit highest tensile, compressive and
flexural strength. However highest impact strength was
observed in the case of long fiber reinforced PS composites.
4. SEM analysis of tensile fractured composite samples showed a
better distribution of particles as well as short fibers in PS
matrix as compared to long fibers.
5. The composites reinforced with MMA grafted fibers exhibited
better mechanical properties as well as higher thermal stability
as compared to composites reinforced with raw fibers.
Acknowledgements
Authors are highly thankful to Director National Institute of
Technology Hamirpur (H.P.) for providing necessary laboratory
facilities to complete this work and MHRD New Delhi for the finan-
cial assistance during the course of work.
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