Sisal fiber degradation treatment by different methods for cement composite materials
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Date
2026-02-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
Sisal fiber is the most extensively cultivated and strong natural fiber extracted from the Agave-sisalana
plant leaf. The use of sisal fiber in concrete or mortar has a lot of benefits, however it degrade due to
mineralization from cementitious materials and moisture absorption. Numerous studies have explored
surface treatment methods to reduce this deterioration, however the combined effects of different
treatment approaches on the performance of sisal fiber in cement composites remain not well known.
This study addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the influence of calcined bentonite, varying
concentrations of alkaline solutions by 5% and 10% NaOH, additionally, using 150 °C and 200 °C
thermal treatments on reducing the degradation of sisal fiber in cement-based materials. The findings
reveal that all three treatments—thermal, alkaline, and calcined bentonite—were effective in removing
lignin and surface impurities from the fibers. Notably, fibers treated with 5% sodium hydroxide,
heated to 150 °C, or treated with calcined bentonite exhibited improved durability after 10 wetting
and drying cycles, showing increases in breaking load resistance of 28.95%, 32.11%, and 33.37%,
respectively. These treatments also significantly reduced water absorption by 34.89%, 29.27%, and
60.95%, compared to untreated fibers. Moreover, the calcined bentonite-treated fiber showed reduced
mass loss by 28.18% at 367 °C and 29.08% at 600 °C when compared to raw sisal fiber. Incorporating
the treated fibers into mortar mixtures resulted in reduced fresh density and enhancements in both
compressive and flexural strength. Specifically, fibers treated at 150 °C and with calcined bentonite
improved the 28 days compressive strength by 23.31% and 23.44%, respectively, compared to mortar
with untreated fibers.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Keywords
Sisal fiber, Treatment, Heat, Alkaline, Calcined bentonite, Mortar