Abstract
Hybrid natural fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared using a prepreg lamination. Two types of the long continuous natural fibers, i.e. sisal fiber (SF) and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) were used in this work. The SF and PALF were treated using alkalization (NaOH) and then silane coupling agent (APS) to improve the interfacial bonding between fiber and PLA. After the surface treatment, the chemical group on the surface of SF and PALF were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The FTIR result confirmed that hemicellulose and lignin were removed and also silane was grafted on the fiber surface. The micrographs by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fibers observed morphological change of the fiber surface. The surface treatment improved the thermal stability of fiber as detected by thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA). The tensile strength of single SF and PALF were increased after surface treatment by alkalization and silane, respectively. Moreover, the tensile strength increases as an increase in the fiber length. Thus, the hybrid natural fiber/PLA composites showed high tensile properties compared with SF/PLA, PALF/PLA composites and pure PLA.
Published Version
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