Effect of sisal fiber filler on thermal properties of bio-based polyurethane composites

This work is mainly focused on study of thermal and thermomechanical properties of obtained bio-based polyurethane (coded as bio-PU) composites via using different types of bio-components (bio-glycol, modified soybean oil and sisal fiber) in the procedure. The chemical structure, morphology and mechanical properties were also investigated and described in this manuscript in order to know more perfect characterization of produced composites. The bio-based polyurethane matrix of composites was synthesized via prepolymer method. Bio-PU composites were produced by dispersing 5 and 15 mass% of sisal fibers into the polyurethane matrix during their synthesis. To investigate the thermal stability of sisal fibers and bio-PU composites, the thermogravimetric method (TG) was used. Thermomechanical tests were performed by means of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Based on the results of thermomechanical analysis, it was found that the sisal fibers amount has the impact on storage and loss modulus. Chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR spectra. Mechanical results and scanning microscopy images of the composites showed good interfacial adhesion between sisal fibers and the bio-based PU matrix.