Original Manuscript

Journal of Composite Materials

2022, Vol. 0(0) 1–13
Tensile properties and micromechanical © The Author(s) 2022
Article reuse guidelines:
modeling of polypropylene composites sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/00219983221087482

reinforced with alfa fibers journals.sagepub.com/home/jcm

Saker Messaoui1,2,3,* , Lassaad Ghali3, Noamen Guermazi2, Nader Haddar2 and

Slah Msahli3

Abstract
The performance of polyolefin composite materials reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers in terms of properties and
mechanical behavior is strongly influenced by the strength of the interphase between the matrix and the reinforcements.
The creation of a strong interface is hampered by the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the reinforcing material and that
of the matrix, respectively. Alkali treatment and the addition of compatibilizers have been a common solution to solve the
interfacial problem. In this work, untreated short alfa fibers, treated with 3% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), polypropylene
(PP), and compatibilizer (MAPP) were extruded and then injection molded to obtain tensile specimens. The alfa fiber length
distributions in the composite were obtained by dissolving the matrix of the composite in a Soxhlet apparatus to extract the
fiber. The results obtained for the composite at 30% by weight and with a combined treatment (NaOH + MAPP), showed a
higher tensile strength compared to untreated composites. In addition, the morphology and the chemical composition of
the fiber were analyzed to further discuss the results of micromechanical models. The interfacial shear strength (τ) and
orientation factor (η0) of the alfa fibers in the polypropylene matrix were determined during the analysis of the modified
Kelly and Tyson model. The results obtained from these models showed that the (τ) of the combined treatment composites
was higher compared to the untreated composites.

Keywords
Alfa fibers, composites, Surface treatments, mechanical properties, micromechanical models, performance

Introduction stability, as well as the low interfacial compatibility between

Natural fibers are drawing interest in both academic re-
search and business as a way to reinforce the thermoplastic
matrix. The goal of this study is to use natural fibers like
kenaf, hemp, flax, alfa, and sisal to replace synthetic fibers
(glass fibers, carbon fibers).1,2 However, few studies have
been conducted on alfa fibers as reinforcement for ther-
moplastic or biodegradable polymer matrix.3,4 Alfa fibers
are commonly utilized due to their advantages of being
renewable, cheap in cost, low in density, and having certain
mechanical qualities.5,6 According to Khalifa et al.,7the
tensile strength of extruded polypropylene (PP)/alfa fibers
reinforced concrete has been found to be higher than that of
ordinary concrete. Indeed, the use of PP/alfa to reinforce the
concrete is respectful of the environment and has been
adopted to build infrastructure adapted for its consumption.
However, like all plant fibers and due to their hydrophilic
character, lignocellulosic fibers have certain disadvantages,
such as the high sensitivity to humidity, the low thermal
the hydrophilic fibers and the hydrophobic polymer matrix.
Indeed, numerous efforts have been made to improve the
compatibility of the fibers and the matrix, including
cleaning the fibers’ surfaces and adding a compatibilizer.8,9
In this case, the easiest method is to use alkaline treat-
ment, which is both environmentally friendly and inex-
pensive. The alkalization procedure reduced amorphous
1
Département mécanique, École Nationale Supérieure D’Ingénieurs de
Tunis(ENSIT), Université de Tunis, Tunisia
2
Laboratoire de Génie des Matériaux et Environnement (LGME), Ecole
Nationale D’Ingénieurs de Sfax (ENIS), Université de Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
3
Laboratoire Génie Textile (Lgtex), ISET Ksar Hlel, Université de Monastir
Ksar Hellal, Tunisia
Corresponding author:
Saker Messaoui, Département mécanique, École Nationale Supérieure
D’Ingénieurs de Tunis(ENSIT), Université de Tunis, Avenue Taha Hussein
Montfleury, 1008, Tunisia.
Email: saker.messi@gmail.com