Effect of surface treatments on the electrical properties of low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with short sisal fibers

The electrical properties of short-sisal-fiber-reinforced low-density polyethylene composites have been studied. Various surface treatments such as alkali, CTDIC, stearic acid, peroxide, permanganate and acetylation were carried out on the sisal fibers to improve interfacial bonding. The treated surfaces were characterized by infra-red spectroscopy. The dielectric constant increases progressively with increase in fiber loading and decreases with...