» Table 5 shows the tensile properties of solution mixed sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP), low density polyethylene and polystyrene composites (Joseph et al., 1999). It is clear from the table that in the case both PP-sisal and LDPE-sisal composites, the tensile strength and modulus go on increasing as the percentage of fibre content increases from 0 to 30%, whereas, the values change in an irregular manner in the case of sisal – polystyrene composites. Since PP is more crystalline than LDPE, the increase in tensile strength by the addition of sisal fibre is less in the case of PP compared to LDPE. But the strength of the composite formed by the addition of fibre is more in the case of PP compared to LDPE. In the case of polystyrene at 10% fibre loading, the tensile strength is decreased by 40% but in the case of PP, it is increased by 3%. However, at high fibre loading, the tensile strength values are comparable for both PP and polystyrene. Thus, PP is found to be a good matrix for sisal polyolefin composites.

Application of Sisal Fibre:

» There are three grades of sisal fibre. The lower grade fibre has high content of cellulose and hemicelluloses so mainly used in paper industry. The medium grade fiber is used in the cordage industry for making: ropes, baler and binders twine. Ropes and twines are widely employed for marine, agricultural, and general industrial use. The higher-grade fiber after treatment is converted into yarns and used by the carpet industry

» Products made from sisal are being developed rapidly, such as furniture and wall tiles made of resonated sisal.