MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBER-REINFORCED POLYESTER COMPOSITES

Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) which is rich in cellulose, relatively ine xpensive, and abundantly available has the potential for polymer reinf orcement. The present study investigated the tensile, flexural, and im pact behavior of PALF-reinforced polyester composites as a function of fiber loading, fiber length, and fiber surface modification. The tens ile strength and Young's modulus of the composites were found to incre ase with fiber content in accordance with the rule of mixtures. The el ongation at break of the composites exhibits an increase by the introd uction of fiber. The mechanical properties are optimum at a fiber leng th of 30 mm. The flexural stiffness and flexural strength of the compo sites with a 30% fiber weight fraction are 2.76 GPa and 80.2 MPa, resp ectively. The specific flexural stiffness of the composite is about 2. 3 times greater than that of neat polyester resin. The work of fractur e (impact strength) of the composite with 30% fiber content was found to be 24 kJ m(-2). Significant improvement in the tensile strength was observed for composites with silane A172-treated fibers. Scanning ele ctron microscopic studies were carried out to understand the fiber-mat rix adhesion, fiber breakage, and failure topography. The PALF polyest er composites possess superior mechanical properties compared to other cellulose-based natural fiber composites. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.