Improvement of Physicomechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber Reinforced Composite.

K Z M Abdul Motaleb,Md Shariful Islam,Mohammad B Hoque

doi:10.1155/2018/7384360

Abstract

Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by compression molding. The fiber content varied from 25% to 45% by weight. Water uptake percentages of the composites containing various wt% of fiber were measured. All the composites demonstrated lower water uptake percentages and maximum of 1.93% for 45 wt% PALF/PP composite treated with 7(w/v)% NaOH. Tensile Strength (TS), Tensile Modulus (TM), Elongation at Break (Eb %), Bending Strength (BS), Bending Modulus (BM), and Impact Strength (IS) were evaluated for various fiber content. The 45 wt% PALF/PP composite exhibited an increase of 210% TS, 412% TM, 155% BS, 265% BM, and 140% IS compared to PP matrix. Moreover, with the increasing of fiber content, all the mechanical properties increase significantly; for example, 45 wt% fiber loading exhibited the best mechanical property. Fibers were also treated with different concentration of NaOH and the effects of alkali concentrations were observed. The composite treated with 7 (w/v)% NaOH exhibited an increase of 25.35% TS, 43.45% TM, 15.78% BS, and 52% BM but 23.11% decrease of IS compared to untreated composite. Alkali treatment improved the adhesive characteristics of fiber surface by removing natural impurities, hence improving the mechanical properties. However, over 7% NaOH concentration of the tensile strength of the composite reduced slightly due to overexposure of fibers to NaOH.

Highlights

Use of natural fibers in composite fabrication drew great interest from the researchers due to its biodegradability and acceptable mechanical strength
The results revealed that, due to 45 wt% reinforcement by Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) (PP045), an increase of 155% bending strength (BS) and 265% bending modulus (BM) was observed
It was found that PALF/PP composite shows better tensile strength than other natural fiber reinforced composites

Summary

Introduction

Use of natural fibers in composite fabrication drew great interest from the researchers due to its biodegradability and acceptable mechanical strength. Polypropylene has been extensively used with natural fiber in composite preparation [1, 2]. After banana and citrus fruit, pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most essential tropical fruits in the world [3]. Leaves of pineapple can be used for producing natural fibers, which necessarily are considered as waste materials. Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) are composed of holocellulose (70–82%), lignin (5–12%), and ash (1.1%), with tremendous mechanical properties [4]. Composites, the wonder lightweight material with high strength-toweight ratio and stiffness properties, have come a long way in replacing conventional materials like metals, woods, etc. Composites, the wonder lightweight material with high strength-toweight ratio and stiffness properties, have come a long way in replacing conventional materials like metals, woods, etc. [5]

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