Enhanced interfacial adhesion via interfacial crystallization between sisal fiber and isotactic polypropylene: direct evidence from single‐fiber fragmentation testing

Bioresource natural sisal fiber (SF) was used to prepare single fiber‐reinforced isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites. Three kinds of interfacial crystalline morphologies, spherulites, medium nuclei density transcrystallinity (MD‐TC) and high nuclei density transcrystallinity (HD‐TC), were obtained in the single fiber‐reinforced composites by implementing quiescent or dynamic shear‐enhanced crystallization and by modulating the compatibility interaction between SF and iPP. The development of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) during the interfacial crystallization process was demonstrated for the first time using a combination of single‐fiber fragmentation testing and optical microscope observation. A close correlation between IFSS and morphological characteristics of interfacial crystallization was well elucidated. The increases in IFSS were very different for spherulitic, MD‐TC and HD‐TC morphologies. The highest IFSS obtained was 28 MPa, after the formation of HD‐TC, which was about 62% of the tensile strength of neat iPP (45 MPa). These results offer powerful and direct evidence that interfacial crystallization could play an important role in the enhancement of interfacial adhesion of real SF/iPP composites. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry