Compendious Characterization of Chemically Treated Natural Fiber from Pineapple Leaves for Reinforcement in Polymer Composites

Nowadays, the research is more focused on natural fibers because of their comparable properties of biodegradability, environment friendly, ease of access, lightweight, and low cost. In this research paper, the effect of chemical treatment on morphological, physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of pineapple leaf fibers has been studied. Because of the highest amount of cellulosic content, this fiber is having great potential for mechanical and thermal strength. Initially, fibers were extracted using retting and scrapping method and thereafter treatment with different concentrations of alkali was performed. Characterization has been done to analyze its properties and found that the alkaline treatment leads to better mechanical and thermal properties but only up to 7% alkali concentration. After increasing the concentration above 7%, the properties start degrading because of the onset of fiber degradation at higher alkali application. Mercerization helps in making fiber more compatible with hydrophobic matrix resin and hence can be easily reinforced with polymeric matrix for specific composite applications.