The progress in the development of composites with natural fibers for various applications in different sectors witnesses remarkable success worldwide in the last decade. Among the various natural fibers existing worldwide, pineapple leaf fibers (PALFs) possess remarkable mechanical properties because of the maximum content of cellulose (∼80%) among all natural fibers. In spite of having few limitations such as hydrophilicity, its advantages such as low cost, low weight, and biodegradability overweigh their limitations. The PALFs are poorly reported in the literature as a reinforcement in epoxy material. Bagasse, wheat straw, and coir have been successfully reinforced with epoxy resin; but inspite of having highest tensile strength among all natural fibers, PALF’s are seldom used. PALF has been characterized chemically, morphologically, and thermally. Using thermal analysis, the models were fitted to calculate its activation energies at different fraction levels using different heating rates. PALF epoxy composites have been prepared using the hand layup method. The effect of fiber loading has also been studied for morphological, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of composites. Composites with 10% fiber loading have better mechanical properties in comparison to composites with other fiber loading. Scanning electron microscopic micrographs of fractured surfaces have been analyzed for all fiber loading composites, and the results have been successfully studied linking the stated work of other distinguished researchers of this arena.
Web-Lectures of Composite Materials and Structures by Dr. P. M. Mohite, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur NPTELhttp://nptel.ac.in/courses/101104010/4 (accessed 13 January 2016).
8.
BhaduriSKSenSK. Structural studies of an acidic polysaccharide isolated from the leaf fibre of pineapple (Ananas comosus MERR). Carbohydrate Res1983; 121: 211–220.
9.
DattaAKSamantarayBKBhattacherjeeS. Mechanical and dielectric properties of pineapple fibres. J Mater Sci Lett1984; 3(8): 667–670.
ClaroPICCorrêaACde CamposA. Curaua and eucalyptus nanofibers films by continuous casting: mechanical and thermal properties. Carboh Polym2018; 181: 1093–1101.
12.
Sena NetoARClaroPICSouzaFVD. Poly (lactic acid) composites reinforced with leaf fibers from ornamental variety of hybrid pineapple (Potyra). Polym Compos2017. DOI: 10.1002/pc.24464.
13.
SahaSCDasBKRayPK. SEM studies of the surface and fracture morphology of pineapple leaf fibers. Text Res J1990; 60: 726–731.
14.
GeorgeJJosephKBhagawanSS. Influence of short pineapple fiber on the viscoelastic properties of low-density polyethylene. Mater Lett1993; 18: 163–170.
GeorgeJBhagawanSSThomasS. Effects of environment on the properties of low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with pineapple-leaf fibre. Compos Sci Technol1997; 58: 1471–1485.
18.
SamalRKRayMC. Effect of chemical modifications on FTIR spectra II. Physicochemical behavior of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF). J Appl Polym Sci1997; 64(11): 2119–2125.
19.
LuoSNetravaliA. Mechanical and thermal properties of environment-friendly ‘green’ composites made from pineapple leaf fibers and poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) resin. Polym Compos1999; 4: 3709–3719.
20.
AribRMNSapuanSMHamdanMAMM. A literature review of pineapple fibre reinforced polymer composites. Polym Compos2004; 12(4): 341–348.
21.
LiuWMisraMAskelandP. Green composites from soy based plastic and pineapple leaf fiber: fabrication and properties evaluation. Polym (Guildf)2005; 46(8): 2710–2721.
22.
LopattananonNPanawarangkulKSahakaroK. Performance of pineapple leaf fiber-natural rubber composites: the effect of fiber surface treatments. J Appl Polym Sci2006; 102(2): 1974–1984.
23.
ThreepopnatkulPKaerkitchaNAnthipongarpornN. Effect of surface treatment on performance of pineapple leaf fibre-polycarbonate composites. Compos B2009; 40: 628–632.
HudaMSDrzalLTMohantyAK. Effect of chemical modifications of the pineapple leaf fiber surfaces on the interfacial and mechanical properties of laminated biocomposites. Compos Int2008; 15: 169–191.
26.
AribRMNSapuanSMAhmadMMHM. Mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polypropylene composites. Mater Des2006; 27(5): 391–396.
HujuriUChattopadhaySKUppaluriR. Effect of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene on the mechanical and morphological properties of chemically modified short-pineapple-leaf-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites. J Appl Polym Sci2007; 107(3): 1507–1516.
30.
MohamedARSapuanSMShahjahanM. Characterization of pineapple leaf fibers from selected Malaysian cultivars. J Food Agricul Environ2009; 7(1): 235–240.
31.
PayaeYLopattananonN. Adhesion of pineapple-leaf fiber to epoxy matrix: the role of surface treatments. Songkl J Sci Technol2009; 31(2): 189–194.
AsimMJawaidMAbdanK. The effect of silane treated fibre loading on mechanical properties of pineapple leaf/kenaf fibre filler phenolic composites. J Polym Environ2018; 26: 1520–1527.
34.
KengkhetkitNAmornsakchaiT. Utilisation of pineapple leaf waste for plastic reinforcement: 1. A novel extraction method for short pineapple leaf fiber. Ind Crops Prod2012; 40(1): 55–61.
35.
LopattananonNPayaeYSeadanM. Influence of Fiber Modification on Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber-Epoxy Composites. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008; 110: 433–443.
36.
MohantyAKTripathyPCMisraM. Chemical modification of pineapple leaf fiber: graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto defatted pineapple leaf fibers. J Appl Polym Sci2000; 77(14): 3035–3043.
37.
MangalRSaxenaNSSreekalaMS. Thermal properties of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced composites. Mater Sci Eng A2003; 339(1): 281–285.
38.
BasuPRKAChellamaniKP. Jute and pineapple leaf fibres for the manufacture of technical textiles. Asian Text J2003; 12: 94–96.
39.
YaoFWuQLeiY. Thermal decomposition kinetics of natural fibers: activation energy with dynamic thermogravimetric analysis. Polym Degrad Stab2008; 93(1): 90–98.
40.
IdrisSSRahmanNAIsmailK. Investigation on thermochemical behaviour of low rank Malaysian coal, oil palm biomass and their blends during pyrolysis via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Biores Technol2010; 101(12): 4584–4592.
41.
AttharangsanSSunanS. Kinetic analysis of thermal and thermo-oxidative decomposition of recycled PE/PALF bio-based composites. Int J Plast Technol2013; 17(1): 94–110. DOI: 10.1007/s12588–013-9051-y.
42.
AlwaniMSAbdul KhalilHPSSulaimanO. An approach to using agricultural waste fibres in biocomposites application: thermogravimetric analysis and activation energy study. Peer Rev Article2014; 9(1): 218–230.
43.
HeydariMRahmanMGuptaR. Kinetic study and thermal decomposition behavior of lignite coal. Int J Chem Eng2015; 2015: 9 pages, Article ID 481739. DOI: 10.1155/2015/481739.
44.
VarmaAKMondalP. Physicochemical characterization and pyrolysis kinetics of wood sawdust, energy sources, part a: recovery. Utiliz Environ Eff2016; 38(17): 2536–2544. DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2015.1072604.
Ranjith KumarRRameshDMutandaT. Thermal behavior and pyrolytic characteristics of freshwater Scenedesmus sp. biomass. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects2015; 37(13): 1383–1391. DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2011.605428.
47.
Surya NagendraPPrasadVVSRamjiK. Synthesis of bio-degradable banana nanofibers. Int J Innov Technol Res2014; 2: 730–734.
48.
SubramanyaRSatyanarayanaKGPilarBS, Evaluation of structural, tensile and thermal properties of banana fibers. J Natural Fib2017; 14: 485–497.
49.
Coelho de Carvalho BeniniKCCornelis VoorwaldHJHilário CioffiMO. Characterization of a new lignocellulosic fiber from Brazil: Imperata brasiliensis (Brazilian satintail) as an alternative source for nanocellulose extraction. J Natural Fib2017; 14(1): 112–125.
50.
Sena NetoARAraujoMASouzaFV. Characterization and comparative evaluation of thermal, structural, chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of six pineapple leaf fiber varieties for use in composites. Ind Crops Prod2013; 43: 529–537.
De RosaIMKennyJMPugliaD. Morphological, thermal and mechanical characterization of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fibres as potential reinforcement in polymer composites. Compos Sci Technol2010; 70: 116–122.
53.
ManfrediLBRodriquezESPrzybylakMW. Thermal degradation and fire resistance of unsaturated polyester, modified acrylic resins and their composites with natural fibres. Polym Degrad Stab2006; 91: 255–261.
54.
SabaNSafwanASanyangML. Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibers reinforced epoxy composites. Int J Biol Macromol2017; 102: 822–828.
55.
MittalVSinhaS. Effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical and water absorption properties of bagasse fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. J Polym Eng2014; 35(6): 545–550.
56.
RameshMSri Ananda AtreyaTAswinUS. Processing and mechanical property evaluation of banana fiber reinforced polymer composites. Proc Eng2014; 97: 563–572.
57.
BilbaKArseneMAOuensangaA. Study of banana and coconut Fibers Botanical composition, thermal degradation and textural observations. Biores Technol2007; 98: 58–68.
58.
OuajaiSShanksRA. Composition, structure and thermal degradation of hemp cellulose after chemical treatments. Polym Degrad Stab2005; 89: 327–335.
59.
PrasadNAgarwalVKShishirS. Banana fiber reinforced low-density polyethylene composites: effect of chemical treatment and compatibilizer addition. Iran Polym J2016; 25(3): 229–241.
