Crystalline transition behavior of sisal in cycle process

In this study, the effects of cycle process on crystalline transition behavior of sisal fiber were investigated in various conditions (in air, in composites and in argon) by XRD analysis. The results indicated that the sisal cellulose falls into cellulose I, and the polymorphic transformation didn't occur for sisal cellulose after cycle process. With increasing of thermal cycle times, the crystalline size of sisal became smaller gradually, but the change was not obvious when sisal fiber was treated thermally in air and in argon before five times. The change trend of crystalline index of sisal after cycle process in air and in argon was similar. However, it is different in composites. From once to 10 times cycle process, the crystalline index of sisal fiber was degressive. When the cycle times was close to 15, crystalline index increased gradually. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers