Azeez, Taofik OladimejiOnukwuli, Dominic Okechukwu2024-11-262024-11-262017Azeez, T. O. & Onukwuli, D. O. (2017). Improving the unsaturated polyester matrix through commingled with chemically treated cissus populnea fibers. Transylvanian Review, XXV(16), 4137 - 4150https://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/1544This article has tables and figuresThe extent of improvement of chemically treated Cissus populnea fiber on morphology, mechanical, adhesion, and water sorption behaviors in Cissus populnea fiber/UPE composites was aimed to be investigated. Fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), respectively. The composites were prepared by hand laying techniques of treated and untreated fibers with unsaturated polyester matrix (UPE) using response surface methodology with central composites design of DoE software. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness and impact strength) were optimized. The interfacial shear stress (IFSS) using fiber pull-out method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density, and water sorption behavior using power law with Fickian diffusion law were studied at optimum level. The optimization of mechanical properties as dependent with factors (weight fraction of the fiber and weight fraction of the matrix) using RSM with CCD technique was done to avoid waste of materials and confusion on properties of the composites. Treatment of Cissus populnea fiber with NaOH and SLS, respectively, improved the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. NaOH treatment gave the best tensile strength while best flexural properties was achieved with SLS treatment. SEM images revealed the morphological changes caused by NaOH and SLS, respectively, at optimal composites production to corroborate interfacial adhesive between Cissus populnea fiber and UPE matrix on composite properties. NaOH and SLS treatments, respectively, reduced the water saturation point with less Fickian behaviour and increased water diffusion coefficient of the composite.enAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalCissus populnea fiberunsaturated polyestermechanical propertiesdensitywater sorption behaviorDepartment of Biomedical TechnologyArticle