Leaf Fiber Research Articles

The Effect of Pineapple Leaf Fiber Addition to Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Sago Starch Based Biofoam with Thermopressing Method

Biofoam can be used as an alternative packaging to Styrofoam. Biofoam made from starch and cellulose fibers has biodegradable properties. In this study used pineapple leaf fiber as an additive to strenghen on mechanical properties of biofoam. The research method consists of several stages, cooking pineapple leaf fiber, biofoam preparation, and testing phase on the resulting biofoam. The mechanical characteristics test of biofoam is a tensile strength test of 1.66-2.86 Mpa. Compound composition test through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is hydrophilic which binds to water so that it is easily degraded by soil, thermal characteristics with DSC thermogram test of pineapple leaf fiber biofoam sample 15 gr shows at a temperature of 98.04 °C occurs peak thermogram showing physical changes. TGA analysis showed that biofoam has good thermal stability. In the morphology of biofoam visible white lumps and grooves on the surface that shows the solubility is not too perfect due to the influence of stirring time.

Microstructural Properties of Gypsum Composites containing Pineapple Leaf Fibre

The interest in prospective uses of gypsum as a finishing component has diminished in recent years as a result of its weak mechanical strength, which is essential in interior construction. Therefore, to overcome this challenge, researchers have come up with various ways of improving the gypsum composite materials. The microstructure of the composites and the contact surface with pineapple leaf fibre were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The microstructural properties of the gypsum paste changed when pineapple leaf fibre was added. These studies showed that at 2% fibre volume, a jellylike surface coating was formed around the gypsum crystals, giving the pineapple leaf fibre (PALF)-gypsum composite its high interlocking and compactness, thereby impacting high strength than the pure gypsum and this suggests its broader application in building industry for production of partition boards

Plastic/fiber composite using recycled polypropylene and fibers from Sorghum halepense L.

Leaf and stem fibers of Sorghum halepense L. (SH) were investigated as fillers for recycled polypropylene (RPP) at 10, 20, and 30 wt%. The effects of SH in RPP on the thermal and mechanical properties of composites were investigated by tensile and bending tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that mechanical properties of the RPP composites decreased but their elasticity modulus increased. The addition of SH fibers to the polymer matrix changed the thermal properties of RPP. A slight decrease in DSC crystallinity was observed with the addition of 10% SH leaf and stem fiber to the polymer matrix and then the percentages of crystallinity increased with the addition of 20% and 30% SH leaf and stem fiber. The SEM images showed that the SH fibers mixed well with the polymer matrix without agglomeration, and the fracture sections of the composites were less rough than that of the RPP by itself.

Green composites made of polyhydroxybutyrate and long-chain fatty acid esterified microcrystalline cellulose from pineapple leaf.

Pineapple leaf fibres are an abundant agricultural waste product that contains 26.9% cellulose. The objective of this study was to prepare fully degradable green biocomposites made of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and microcrystalline cellulose from pineapple leaf fibres (PALF-MCC). To improve compatibility with PHB, the PALF-MCC was surface modified using lauroyl chloride as an esterifying agent. The influence of the esterified PALF-MCC laurate content and changes in the film surface morphology on biocomposite properties was studied. The thermal properties obtained by differential scanning calorimetry revealed a decrease in crystallinity for all biocomposites, with 100 wt% PHB displaying the highest values, whereas 100 wt% esterified PALF-MCC laurate showed no crystallinity. The addition of esterified PALF-MCC laurate increased the degradation temperature. The maximum tensile strength and elongation at break were exhibited when adding 5% of PALF-MCC. The results demonstrated that adding esterified PALF-MCC laurate as a filler in the biocomposite film could retain a pleasant value of tensile strength and elastic modulus whereas a slight increase in elongation can help to enhance flexibility. For soil burial testing, PHB/ esterified PALF-MCC laurate films with 5-20% (w/w) PALF-MCC laurate ester had higher degradation than films consisting of 100% PHB or 100% esterified PALF-MCC laurate. PHB and esterified PALF-MCC laurate derived from pineapple agricultural wastes are particularly suitable for the production of relatively low-cost biocomposite films that are 100% compostable in soil.

A systematic investigation on the influence of the chemical treatment of natural fibres using the Fuzzy TOPSIS Method

Chemical treatment (hazardous waste) is the conversion of hazardous waste into non-toxic gases, to change or change the chemical characteristics of waste Treatment methods are used, for example in water By decreasing solubility. OracidityNeutralization or pH adjustment (neutralization or precipitation), oxidation and reduction, hydrolysis and Photosynthesis, chemical oxidation (ozonation, (electrolytic oxidation, hydrogen peroxide) and chemical removal (alkali metaldichlorine, alkali)chemical treatment processes Various (commonly used) including metallization/ soCommonly Activated Chemical Treatment Processes: Chemical Precipitation, neutralization absorption, disinfection (chlorine, ozone, UV light) and ion exchange. from plant kingdomCommon natural fibres obtained are Cotton, Flax, Jute, Bamboo, Sisal and Jute, Natural fibres. The main component Natural fibres. The main component Popular as angora and mohair We get fibres, plant fibres include seed hairs such as cotten; Flax andstem (or bast) fibres like jute, leaf fibres like sisal; and coconut-like husks fibres. Animal fibres also include secretions such as wool, hair, and silk. Research significance: In this paper, various chemical properties of in natural fibre-reinforced composites Use natural fibres Changes have been reviewed. Alkali, Silane, Acetylation, Benzoylation, Acrylation, malate coupling agents, isocyanates, Permanganate and other chemical treatments are discussed. to the fibre surface Chemical treatment of fibre between polymer matrixAimed at improving adhesion. Water absorption of composites decreases and their mechanical Properties are improved. Method: Fuzzy TOPSIS (Order by Similarities for Ideal Solution technique for prioritization) similar options. Further It also automates the process and selection Ambiguity, uncertainty in the process Can also be used to relieve Technology in general Used to solve decision problems. This is for all alternatives in the technique problem Based on inter-comparison. Alternative: Cotton, Jute, Flax, Hemp, Ramie and Sisal. Evaluation parameters: Density, Elongation, Tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Result: Chemical Treatments of Natural Fibre in Sisal is got the first rank whereas is the Hemp is having the Lowest rank.Conclusion: Chemical Treatments of Natural Fibre in Sisal is got the first rank whereas is the Hemp is having the Lowest rank.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study to Evaluate Postprandial Glucometabolic Effects of Mulberry Leaf Extract, VitaminD, Chromium, and Fiber in People with Type2 Diabetes.

Reducing postprandial (PP) hyperglycemia and PP glucose excursions is important for overall glycemic management. Although most therapeutic lifestyle interventions that reduce caloric intake would affect this, there is no particular nutritional intervention favored. We evaluated the effects of a novel natural food adjuvant combining mulberry leaf extract (MLE) with other bioactive ingredients, in people with type2 diabetes (T2D) originating from Asia, on improving PP glucometabolic response in a randomized controlled exploratory crossover, two-center study (USA, Singapore). A 2-g blend of 250mg MLE [containing 12.5mg of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ)], fiber (1.75g), vitamin D3 (0.75μg), and chromium (75μg), compared with a similar blend without the MLE, was sprinkled over a 350-kcal breakfast meal (55.4g carbs) and PP blood glucose (primary exploratory endpoint), insulin, and incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP) were evaluated in blood samples over 3h. Changes in incremental areas under the concentration curve (iAUC) and maximum concentrations (Cmax) were compared. Thirty individuals (12 women, mean age 59years, HbA1c 7.1%, BMI 26.5kg/m2) were enrolled and the MLE-based blend relative to the blend without MLE significantly reduced glucose iAUC at 1h (- 20%, p < 0.0001), 2h (- 17%, p = 0.0001), and 3h (- 15%, p = 0.0032) and Cmax [mean (95% CI) difference - 0.8 (- 1.2, - 0.3) mmol/L, p = 0.0006]. A statistically significant reduction in 1h insulin iAUC (- 24%, p = 0.0236) was observed, but this reduction was no longer present at either 2h or 3h. No difference in GLP-1 was seen, but GIP response (iAUC and Cmax) was less with the MLE-based blend. The observation of a significant glucose reduction paralleled with a significant lower insulin response supports a reduced gastrointestinal glucose absorption. These results support the use of a 2-g natural blend of MLE, fiber, vitaminD, and chromium in T2D as a convenient dietary adjuvant to improve PP glucometabolic response. gov identifier NCT04877366.

Influence of Chemical Treatment of Natural Fibres Using the SPSS Method

Chemical Treatments of Natural Fibre Chemical treatment of hazardous waste involves converting it into non-toxic gases by changing or altering its chemical characteristics. Various treatment methods are used, such as reducing solubility or acidity through neutralization or pH adjustment, precipitation or oxidation and reduction, hydrolysis and photosynthesis, chemical oxidation (such as ozonation, electrolytic oxidation, and hydrogen peroxide), and chemical removal (such as alkali metal dichlorine and alkali). Commonly used chemical treatment processes include metallization, activated chemical treatment processes, chemical precipitation, neutralization absorption, disinfection (using chlorine, ozone, UV light), and ion exchange. Natural fibers obtained from the plant kingdom include cotton, flax, jute, bamboo, sisal, and co-conut husks. Cotton and flax are examples of seed hairs, while jute is an example of stem (or bast) fibers. Sisal is an example of leaf fibers. Animal fibers include secretions such as wool, hair, and silk. Popular animal fibers include angora and mohair. This paper reviews various chemical properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites, including changes resulting from the use of natural fibers. Chemical treatments, such as alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, malate coupling agents, isocyanates, permanganate, and others are discussed in relation to their effect on the fiber surface. The aim of these treatments is to improve adhe-sion between the fiber and polymer matrix. As a result, water absorption of composites decreases and their mechanical properties are improved. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, commonly known as SPSS, quickly gained popularity in the 80s and 90s, ex-tending beyond the commercial sector to the social sciences. The original name was dropped, and the name was shortened to "SPSS." Several attempts were made to introduce a word that fits the acronym "SPSS," but they often failed. In the early 2000s, "Statistical Packages and Software Services" was used for some years, but eventually dropped. "SPSS" became just a name and was no longer short for anything. There is, however, a detailed history of SPSS from 1968 to 2009, which is available to anyone interested. The industries included in this study are the non-metal mineral product industry, general equipment manu-facturing, mining and washing of coal, textile industry, food manufacturing industry, and special equipment manufacturing. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability test was conducted, and the overall Cronbach's Alpha value for the model is 0.744, indicating a 74% reli-ability rate. Based on the literature review, a model with a Cronbach's Alpha value of over 0.50 can be considered for analysis. The text appears to be correct as it is. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability test was conducted, and the overall Cronbach's Alpha value for the model is 0.744, indicating a 74% reliability rate. Based on the literature review, a model with a Cronbach's Alpha value of over 0.50 can be considered for analysis.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cu-Cr-O Phase with H2SO4 Solvent Using Sol-Gel Method

This study used the cast-in-situ method to make concrete based on rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber. Rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber were used as the cement substitutes with different variations: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. Parameters examined in this study included density, porosity, water absorption, flexural strength, and compressive strength using a universal testing machine and Material Testing equipment, which were then analyzed morphologically using SEM-EDX. The result showed a density of 2.510 × 103 − 2.451 × 103 kg/m3, porosity of 7.64 – 5.73 %, water absorption of 0.296 % – 0.243 %, compressive strength of 23.66 – 16.45 MPa, flexural Strength of 33.3 – 25.3 MPa. The morphological analysis showed that the rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber addition was responsible for the concrete's porous structure in this study has a porous structure. The EDX analysis result exhibited a high carbon percentage.

The Effect of Rice Husk Ash and Pineapple Leaf Fiber on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete

This study used the cast-in-situ method to make concrete based on rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber. Rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber were used as the cement substitutes with different variations: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. Parameters examined in this study included density, porosity, water absorption, flexural strength, and compressive strength using a universal testing machine and Material Testing equipment, which were then analyzed morphologically using SEM-EDX. The result showed a density of 2.510 × 103 − 2.451 × 103 kg/m3, porosity of 7.64 – 5.73 %, water absorption of 0.296 % – 0.243 %, compressive strength of 23.66 – 16.45 MPa, flexural Strength of 33.3 – 25.3 MPa. The morphological analysis showed that the rice husk ash and pineapple leaf fiber addition was responsible for the concrete's porous structure in this study has a porous structure. The EDX analysis result exhibited a high carbon percentage.

Design consideration and optimization of process parameters in fiber extraction unit via modelling studies

AbstractDemand for natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic fibers is on the rise. Constraints of current fiber extraction units are limited to single raw material and has low energy efficiency. Hence, this study was taken up for the design and development of a multiple fiber extractor, modelling and optimization of the machine operating parameters, and economic analysis of the developed prototype. The designed machine operates based on the raspador principle. Box Behnken design (BBD) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to evaluate the performance and optimize the variables of the designed multiple fiber extractor. The input variables included roller speed (550, 735, and 920 rpm), gap/clearance of the roller (2, 3, and 4 mm) and the pitch/distance between the spline slots (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mm), while the output variables were yield (kg), capacity (kg/h), energy consumption (kJ), and efficiency (%).The prediction accuracy of quadratic models (R2 = 0.962–0.985) developed in BBD were better than the ANN models (R2 = 0.831–0.946). The optimized combination was found to be 714.23 rpm roller speed, 3.12 mm gap, and 1.49 mm pitch of the blade, which yielded (1.48 kg) a desirability value of 0.95. The XRD results indicated the highest crystallinity index was recorded for Pineapple leaf fiber compared to banana fiber. SEM results revealed that extracted BF having typical network structure (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and waxes) compared to smooth PLF (lignin and hemicellulose). The fibers extracted using the developed machine was utilized for making biodegradable cutlery.Practical ApplicationsThis study was taken up to design a multifiber extractor, to extract fibers from agricultural residues after their useful parts are taken for consumption or processing. Thus, a single machine capable of handling multiple byproducts can utilize those residues, which were previously discarded as waste. Moreover, the extracted fibers are used for the manufacture of biodegradable cutlery. With a small investment, this machine can provide an additional income to the farmers, along with taking away the concern regarding waste disposal.

Benchmarking automotive nonwoven composites from date palm midrib and spadix fibers in comparison to commercial leaf fibers

In an attempt to increase the biodiversity of natural fibers, new sources of natural fibers should be discovered. Long textile-grade date palm (DP) fibers were used in the manufacturing of 50:50 polypropylene nonwoven composite. DP fibers are considered newcomers to the natural fiber library. The main aim of this work was to benchmark different types of DP fiber composites in comparison to other commercial leaf fiber composites, namely, sisal, abaca, and banana, in addition to FlexForm automotive composites. The composites were mechanically and physically characterized in order to determine their properties. The results showed that the void content in DP composites was lower than that in sisal and abaca by 33% and 40% respectively. DP composites have tensile strength within the same range as sisal composites and higher than that of banana by nearly 33%. The modulus of elasticity and failure strain of DP composites were nearly 3 GPa and up to 3% respectively. The flexural strength of DP composites (35 MPa) was in the same range as that of sisal and abaca. The normalized impact energy of DP composites was higher than that of banana by 50%. The dynamic mechanical analysis of the six composites showed similar behavior with a glass transition temperature around 10 °C. Finally, the water absorption behavior of DP composites was better than the other composites (lower than sisal by 63%). The results showed that DP fibers are good candidates for applications in automotive interior composites, given their competitive performance and high potential availability.

Identification of land and water Centella asiatica leaf herbal plants using digital imagery with the Sobel Edge Detection algorithm

Centella asiatica leaves or gotu kola leaves are wild plants that grow in Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, Japan and India. Since thousands of years ago, this gotu kola leaf has been known to treat various diseases. This plant is even used as a traditional herbal medicine in China and India. Centella asiatica is an annual herbaceous plant that grows and flowers throughout the year. Plants will thrive if the soil and environment are suitable to be used as a ground cover. Types of gotu kola that are often found are red gotu kola and green gotu kola. Centella asiatica is also known as antanan taman or antanan batu because it is found in rocky, dry and open areas. Centella asiatica grows with stolons and has no stems, but has rhizomes (short rhizomes). Meanwhile, green gotu kola is often found in rice fields and on the sidelines of the grass. Based on this problem, a study is needed to develop a system to determine the shape of leaf fiber density with a comparison of ground gotu kola and water gotu kola using image processing techniques to find the diameter. This measurement process uses the Matlab application and tests with the Sobel edge detection method and image processing to see edges that are more clearly visible. The results showed that the developed system was capable of obtaining images and identifying the fiber density of Centella asiatica leaves. The system was designed with Jupyter Notebook Python-based programming language analysis with image data taken via internet sources as research material.

Experimental investigation of properties and aging behavior of pineapple and sisal leaf hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Using plant leaf fibers as reinforcements in thermo-plastic resins to produce affordable and lightweight composites is the subject of growing interest in research. Although these fibers have several advantages over synthetic fibers, mechanical characteristics of composites such as moisture absorption, poor wettability, and insufficient adhesion between the matrix and the fiber cause disadvantages. To overcome these issues, in this experimental study, two leaf-based plant fibers are hybridized and the composites have been fabricated by hand lay-up process. The composites were subjected to several tests. The results showed that the hybridization of sisal and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) increases the mechanical strength of the composite by a maximum tensile strength of 3.59 kN, a little lower flexural strength than the individual fiber, and a noticeably higher compressive strength. The results further showed that the decreased affinities for moisture content and the aged composites seem to be prone to be hydrophilic. Findings of the experiments reveal that the hybridization of sisal and PALF has a significant influence on the properties of the composites. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs of fractured surfaces have been examined, and the findings have effectively been investigated.

Assessing Mechanical Properties of Jute, Kenaf, and Pineapple Leaf Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites: Experiment and Modelling.

The application of natural fibers is increasing rapidly in the polymer-based composites. This study investigates manufacturing and characterization of polypropylene (PP) based composites reinforced with three different natural fibers: jute, kenaf, and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). In each case, the fiber weight percentages were varied by 30 wt.%, 35 wt.%, and 40 wt.%. Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were determined by following the relevant standards. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to identify the chemical interactions between the fiber and the PP matrix material. Tensile strength and Izod impact strength of the composites significantly increased for all the composites with different fiber contents when compared to the pure PP matrix. The tensile moduli of the composites were compared to the values obtained from two theoretical models based on the modified "rule of mixtures" method. Results from the modelling agreed well with the experimental results. Tensile strength (ranging from 43 to 58 MPa), flexural strength (ranging from 53 to 67 MPa), and impact strength (ranging from 25 to 46 kJ/m2) of the composites significantly increased for all the composites with different fiber contents when compared to the pure PP matrix having tensile strength of 36 MPa, flexural strength of 53 Mpa, and impact strength of 22 kJ/m2. Furthermore, an improvement in flexural strength but not highly significant was found for majority of the composites. Overall, PALF-PP displayed better mechanical properties among the composites due to the high tensile strength of PALF. In most of the cases, T98 (degradation temperature at 98% weight loss) of the composite samples was higher (532-544 °C) than that of 100% PP (500 °C) matrix. Fractured surfaces of the composites were observed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analyses were made in terms of fiber matrix interaction. This comparison will help the researcher to select any of the natural fiber for fiber-based reinforced composites according to the requirement of the final product.

Effect of Fiber Modification on Pineapple Leaf Fiber's Mechanical Properties and Interfacial Adhesion

Effect of Fiber Modification on Pineapple Leaf Fiber's Mechanical Properties and Interfacial Adhesion

Acoustical and mechanical characteristics of mortars with pineapple leaf fiber and silica aerogel infills – Measurement and modeling

While offering good thermal insulation, silica aerogels inclusion in cementitious matrices compromises hugely the products’ compressive strength. Enhancement of the mechanical performance of concrete reinforced by fibers, on the other hand, has been well evident in existing scholarly works. Even so, natural fibers are under-exploited compared to their synthetic counterpart. Therefore, this study examines the acoustical and mechanical characteristics of mortars mixed with silica aerogel and pineapple leaf fiber for various mixture designs in determining the optimal blends that exhibit good performance in both compressive strength, σu, and sound absorption coefficient, Sa. Due to the widely reported mixing issue of silica aerogel in cement matrix, the examined samples have been fabricated through a carefully planned dry mixing method with a slow introduction of water in stages. The investigated silica aerogels are in powder form whereas pineapple leaf fibers are prepared in 10 mm length, from which their examined proportions are 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % as well as 0 %, 1 %, and 2 %, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are additionally conducted to offer insight into the variation observed in σu and Sa for different mixes. The commonly reported drop in mechanical strength attributed to silica aerogel inclusion is witnessed but offset by the added pineapple leaf fiber. To circumvent laborious laboratory effort, statistical and machine learning explicit expressions are derived to generalize σu and Sa as functions of silica aerogel and pineapple leaf fiber contents. Also, the optimal constituents’ contents that exhibit good soundproofing while low in mechanical strength degradation are determined from the models for future design convenience.

Mechanical behaviour of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites at different orientations

Mechanical behaviour of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced epoxy composites at different orientations

Natural rubber latex cushioning packaging to reduce vibration damage in guava during simulated transportation

A conventional foam net is commercially applied to protect or reduce mechanical damage of guava fruit during transportation. This study investigated the utilization of natural rubber latex foam net (NRL-FN) cushioning material to protect Guava fruit against vibration damage. NRL-FN is an eco-friendly cushioning material which was designed to enhance its biodegradability by adding bamboo leaf fiber (BLF). Different loadings of the BLF were added into the NRL-FN (0.0, 2.5 and 5.0 phr). Cushioning performance of the NRLFNs were compared with a commercial polyethylene foam net (EPE-FN) using a bare fruit as the control. The cushioning test investigated thickness, energy (E), cushion coefficient (C) and percentage transmissibility (PT) using Glom Sali guava under simulated vibration at acceleration (Grms) (8.826 m s−2), frequency (13.5 Hz), and vibration duration (40 min). Guava fruit was stored at 20 °C under 80% RH for 4 d to assess vibration bruising on guava peel by digital image analysis as bruise area (BA), gray scale, normalized fractal dimension difference (ΔFD/FD0), browning index (BI) and total color difference (TCD). Results showed that NRL-FN+BLF0.0 phr and NRL-FN+BLF2.5 phr (thickness of 3.2 mm) gave lower C and higher E values than that of NRL-NF+BLF5.0 phr (thickness of 3.1 mm) and EPE-FN (thickness of 5.4 mm), while NRL-FN+BL0.0 phr and EPE-FN had the lowest PT value. The NRL-FN+BLF0.0 phr, NRL-FN+BL2.5 phr and EPE produced the lowest BA (<2.5%) on guava peel followed by NRL-FN+BL0.0 phr (6–7%) and a bare fruit (control) (30–45%). No significant differences in ΔFD/FD0, BI and TCD were found among the four cushioning treatments. The NRL-FN with lower BLF composition provided greater cushioning performance against vibration bruising on guava peel with reduced thickness and lower C and PT values. Results demonstrated that NRL-FN possessed a potential for application in distribution packaging as a new cushioning material to protect against fruit mechanical vibration damages.

Effect of Alkalized Pineapple Leaf Fiber Direction Variations on Tensile Strength and Bending of Polyester Matrix Composites

Pineapple plant is a plant that is often found throughout Indonesia, so that the production of pineapple is very abundant. Pineapple leaf fiber which consists of about 70-80% cellulose provides high modulus and strength properties, this causes pineapple leaves to be used as an efficient reinforcement of natural fiber composites. In this study, the material used was pineapple leaf fiber which had been alkalized in the direction of 0°, 45°, 90° with a volume fraction of 50% with alkalization (NaOH) treatment for 1 hour and 2 hours, without treatment. This study used polyester resin as the matrix with the hand lay up method. The test results for the pineapple leaf fiber composites which have been alkalized with variations in direction 0°, 45°, 90° with a volume fraction of 50%. And the highest value in the tensile test with treatment is in the 0° direction with a value of 5.883 MPa and an average value of 4.306 MPa with 2 hours of immersion and for the bending test the highest value is in the 0° direction with a value of 3.922 MPa and an average value of 3.276 MPa with 2 hours immersion. The 0° fiber direction has the best stress because the fiber direction is directly proportional to the static load given to the tensile and bending testing machine. Conversely, the direction of 90° is inversely proportional because the direction is not the same as the static load that is given

Effects of Bamboo Leaf Fiber Content on Cushion Performance and Biodegradability of Natural Rubber Latex Foam Composites.

Bamboo leaf fiber (BLF) was incorporated into an eco-friendly foam cushion made from natural rubber latex (NRL) to enhance the biodegradation rate. The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of BLF content on the foam structure, mechanical properties, cushion performance, and biodegradability. The NRL foam cushion nets with and without BLF were prepared using the Dunlop method along with microwave-assisted vulcanization. BLF (90-106 µm in length) at various loadings (0.00, 2.50, 5.00, 7.50, and 10.00 phr) were introduced to the latex compounds before gelling and vulcanizing steps. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the BLF in a NRL foam caused an increase in cell size and a decrease in the number of cells. The changes in the cell structure and number of cells resulted in increases in the bulk density, hardness, compression set, compressive strength, and cushion coefficient. A soil burial test of 24 weeks revealed faster weight loss of 1.8 times when the BLF content was 10.00 phr as compared to the NRL foam without BLF. The findings of this work suggest the possibility of developing an eco-friendly cushion with a faster degradation rate while maintaining cushion performance, which could be a better alternative for sustainable packaging in the future.