This document outlines the contents of a project proposal on producing sisal fibre reinforced composite panels. It includes an introduction describing the background, objectives, and scope of the project. A literature review covers properties and applications of sisal fibres and composites. The methodology discusses production of sisal preforms, selecting a resin matrix, producing sample panels, and testing panel strength. The project aims to develop sisal composites for furniture applications to address issues like deforestation and promote sisal cultivation.

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2. Project proposal contents
INTRODUCTION
 Background information
 Project objectives
 Significance of project
 Scope of the project
LITERATURE REVIEW
 Introduction
 Description of the project
METHODOLOGY
 Meaning
 Documentary review
 Literature review
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3. CHAPTER ONE
1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
 The term composite can be defined as material composed of two or
more different materials, with properties of two or more different
materials, with the properties of resultant material being superior to the
properties of individual material that make up the composite. There has
been a growing interest in the utilization of sisal fibres as reinforcement
in the production of polymeric composite materials. Natural fibres have
gained recognition as reinforcements in fibre-matrix composites
because of their mechanical and environmental friendliness.
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4. 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
 The problem existing is less utilization of sisal fibres, deforestation,
and using metal materials which is less affected with environment (less
corroded),deforestation have great impact to the environment where by
it cause erosion, then the sisal composite trigger to solve those problems
existing.
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5. 1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVE
1.3.1 Main objective
 The main objective is production of sisal reinforced composite as a
wood substitutes in furniture application.
1.3.1 Specific objectives
 In order to achieve the specific objectives the following should be done
i. Design and produce sisal preforms for sisal reinforcement composite
ii. To study and select the appropriate matrix(resin) for sisal
reinforcement composite
iii. Production of sisal panel( sample panel)
iv. To test the strength of the produced composite panel and compare with
available common wood sample.
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6. 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF PROJECT
i. It reduce environmental impacts like deforestation
ii. It improve sisal cultivation
iii. It increase sisal market world wide
iv. It reduce environmental pollution.
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7. 1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
 My study will focus on production of sisal fibre
composite, and testing sisal fibre composite if its
performance fit for application as furniture.
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8. 1.6 FIELD OF STUDY
 Project will be conducted at university of Dar es
salaam(UDSM) and at 21st century holding company
limited located at chang’ombe industrial area.
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9. CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
introduction
 Agave sisalana or sisal is one of the agave genus, which belongs
to the agavacea family. Sisal is cultivated for fibres in tropical and
sub-tropical about 24 countries in central and South America,
East Africa, Madagascar and Asia. It is a xerophytic plant and
easy to cultivate, Fibre extracted from the leaves of sisal pant is
hard fibre. A plant of sisal produces about 200-250 leaves and
each leaf and contains 1000-1200 fibre bundles. Each fiber is
composed of 4%fibre, 0.75% cuticle, 8% dry matter and 87.25%
water.
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10. Sisal plant
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11. 2.2 EXTRACTION OF SISAL FIBRES
 The processing methods for extracting sisal fibres
include retting followed by scraping and mechanically
using decorticators ,in which the leaf is crushed between
rollers and then mechanically scraped .after extraction,
the fibres are washed thoroughly in water to remove the
wastes such as chlorophyll ,leaf juices and adhesive
solids.
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Sisal fibres extracted

13. 2.1.1 Properties of sisal fibres
 Sisal fibre bundles are rigid and have greater tenacity
than other bast ad leaf fibres.
 Sisal fibres has the highest modulus of equivalent
elongation compared to the jute and pineapple fibres
 Sisal fibres have high stiffness.
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14. APPLICATION OF SISAL FIBRE
 The lower grade fibres is processed by paper industry
because of high content of cellulose and hemicellulose.
 The medium grade fibre is used in the cordage industry
for making ropes,baler,and binders twine
 The higher grade fibre after treatment is converted into
yarns and used by carpet industry.
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15. 2.2 TEXTILE COMPOSITE
 Textile composite can be defined as the combination of
a resin system with textile fiber, yarn or fabric system.
They may be either flexible or rigid. Flexible textile
composites may include heavy duty conveyor belts or
inflatable life rafts.
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16. 2.2.1 properties of textile composite
 Particles and flakes usually enhance properties less
effectively than chopped fibers
 Continuous fibers are the most effective ,although the
properties vary with direction and the strongest in the
longitudinal direction of the fiber –To reduce
directionality, woven mats and different plies are used
 A strong bond between the matrix and reinforcement
phases
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17. These properties are determined by three factors
i. The materials used as component phases in the
composite
ii. The geometric shapes of the constituents and resulting
structure of composite system
iii.The manner in which the phases interact with one
another
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18. 2.2.2 Applications of textile composites
 Space craft: Antenna structures, solar reflectors, satellite structures,
radar, rocket engines,etc
 Air crafts: jets engines ,Turbine blades, Turbine shafts ,compressor
blades ,Airfoil surfaces, Wing box structures, Fan blades, Flywheels,
Engine bay doors, Rotor shafts in helicopters, Helicopter transmission
structures,etc
 Miscellaneous: (1) Bearing materials ,pressure vessels, Abrasive
materials, Electrical machinery ,truss members ,cutting tools ,electrical
brushes,etc
 Automobile: engines, bodies, piston, cylinder, connecting rod,
crankshafts, bearing materials, etc.
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19. 2.2.3 PREFORMS IN COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING.
 The reinforcement materials used during manufacturing of
composites may be in form of thick woven cloth or the laminates
which are can be combined to get the required thickness. So on the
basis of reinforcement material used, the composite can be broadly
categorized as
a) Laminated composite; in this case of laminar composites the
layers of reinforcement are stacked in a particular pattern in order
to obtain the desired properties in the resulting composite
material.
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20. Continuous in pre-forms of composite
b) 3D-Composite ; The textile preforms can be broadly
classified as two-and three –dimensional on the basis of
extent of reinforcement in the thickness direction. But the
three-dimensional textile preforms are more attractive as
they offer the benefit of near net shape manufacturing with
improved damage tolerance.
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21. Continuous in pre-form of composite
• The design of a composite structural component
illustrates which fiber preform manufacturing technique
should be employed.
 Woven preform
 Stitching/non-woven preforms
 Knitted preform
 Braiding
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22. 2.2.4 Classification of textile composite
 Textile composite can be classified into two category
i. Based on the type of matrix
According to the type of matrix it includes
 Polymer matrix composite(PMCs); include
thermoplastic and thermoset
 Metal matrix composite (MMCs);include
Aluminium,Titanium,copper,magnesium and super
alloys
 Ceramic matrix composite(CMCs);include silicon
carbide,Boron,Molybdenum and Alumina.
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23. Continuous in classification of composite
ii. Based on the reinforcement; based on type of
reinforcement it includes ;
 Fibers: can be short or much longer for continuous fiber
 Particulate; small particle that impede dislocation
movement (in metal composites) and strengthens the
matrix.
 Flakes; flat platelet form
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24. 2.3 RESIN( MATRIX)
 Hold everything together and transfer mechanical loads
through the fibers to the rest of the structure. Resin
systems come in variety of chemical families each
designed and designated to serve industries providing
certain advantages like economic, structural performance,
resistance in various factor.
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25. Common resin used are described as follows
 Polyster
Unsaturated polyster resins are simplest, most economic
resin systems that easiest to prepare and show good
performance, millions of tons of the material is used
annually around the world. They are manufactured by
condensation polymerization of various diols (alcohols)
and dibasic acids (e.g. maleic anhydride or fumaric acid)
to give esters.
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26. Orthophthalic
 Is also referred to as ortho or General purpose polyster
(GP) was the original polyster developed. It has the lower
cost and still very widely used in FRP industry. It is
commonly used in applications where high mechanical
prorties,corrosion resistance and thermal stability are not
required.
although the upper temperature limit is only 50 degree
centigrade, it performs satisfactory in water and sea water. It
is not recommended for use in contact with chemicals.
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27. Vinyl ester
 Even further improved polyster ,It is bisphenol
chlorinated, or a combination of polyster and epoxy. Its
curing ,handling and processing characteristics are those
of polyster, and it exhibits higher test results in
corrosion, temperature resistance and strength and has
high cost.
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28. Phenolic
 Phenolic resin is a reaction of phenol and formaldehyde.
It can be cured via heat and pressure, without the use of
catalyst or curing agents. It is one of the oldest
thermosetting resins available and sells at a very
reasonable cost. Cured phenolic resins are fire resistant
without the use of mineral fillers or fire retardant
additives.
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29. Epoxy
 Epoxy resins are broad family materials. The most
common ones are prepared from the reaction of bis-
phenol and epichlorohydrin and contain a reactive
functional group their molecular structure. Epoxy resin
systems show extremely high three dimensional cross
link density which results to the best mechanical
performance characteristics of all resins.
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30. 2.3.1 Characteristics of epoxy resin
i. Water resistance
ii. Chemical resistance
iii. Very good mechanical and mechanical insulating
properties
iv. Shrinkage, dimensional stability
v. Strength and stiffness
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31. 2.3.2 The role of the matrix in composite materials are
i. To keep the fibres in place
ii. To transfer stresses between the fibres
iii. To provide a barrier against an adverse environment such as chemicals
and moisture
iv. To protect the surface of the fibres from mechanical degradation e.g.
abrasion.
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32. METHODOLOGY
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35. ACTIVITY SCHEDURE AND ESTIMATED BUDGET.
Table1:Activity schedule for semester one.
activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Proposing
project title
Literature
review
Project
writing
First
presentation
Project
submission
Final
presentation
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