Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology

The Korean Society of Wood Science & Technology (한국목재공학회)
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Mechanical and Water Resistance Properties of Nano TiO2 Coated Sisal (Agave sisalana) Glass Fiber Hybrid Reinforced Composites

  • Ismadi ISMADI (Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia) ;
  • Ariadne L. JUWONO (Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia) ;
  • Sasa Sofyan MUNAWAR (Directorate of Competency Development, National Research and Innovation Agency) ;
  • Jajang SUTIAWAN (Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency) ;
  • Ria Yolanda ARUNDINA (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia)
  • Received : 2025.04.28
  • Accepted : 2025.07.31
  • Published : 2025.09.25
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Abstract

Natural fibers are increasingly used as reinforcements in composite materials owing to their sustainability and low cost. However, their poor interfacial bonding with polymer matrices, particularly thermoset resins, often limits their mechanical performance. Surface treatment of natural fibers is a widely adopted strategy for enhancing fiber-matrix adhesion. This study investigated the effect of varying glass and sisal fiber contents on the mechanical and water resistance properties of hybrid composites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of fiber composition and surface treatment to improved composite performance. Sisal fibers were treated with 1% titanium dioxide (TiO2) and then combined with glass fibers to reinforce the composite. The volume percentages of the fiber utilized were 30%, 40%, and 50%. A manual lay-up pressing technique was used to fabricate the composites. The thicknesses, swelling, densities, and water absorptions of the composites were also assessed. Furthermore, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 3039 and D 790 tensile and flexural tests were performed on the composite materials. The combination of sisal fibers coated with glass fibers tended to have less water absorption than composites with alternating sisal and glass fibers. The sisal-glass fiber-reinforced composites demonstrated low water absorption (0%-2%) and thickness swelling (0%-1.7%), indicating good moisture resistance. Mechanical testing revealed that a composite with 50% fiber volume fraction in a glass-sisal (G-S-G) configuration achieved a maximum tensile strength of 140.9 MPa. The highest flexural strength (303.5 MPa) and flexural modulus (9.2 GPa) were observed for the composite with 50% fiber volume fraction arranged in a glass-sisal (G-S-G-S-G) configuration. TiO2-coated glass-sisal fiber composites showed improved strength and water resistance, with potential for semi-structural use. However, challenges, such as cost, environmental impact, and durability, require further study.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank everyone who helped us to prepare the instructions. This study was funded by the Research Organization for Nanotechnology and Materials - National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) research grant 2024-2025 provided some funding for this work.

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