Load bearing investigations on silane coupling grafted PET core and pineapple leaf fibre-vinyl ester sandwich composite building material

This study investigates the impact of silane coupling grafting on the mechanical properties of load-bearing applications in a novel composite material composed of recycled PET bottle waste, thick core, and pineapple leaf fibre reinforced with vinyl ester. A comprehensive array of tests, including tensile, flexural, impact, interlaminar shear strength, flammability, and thermal conductivity tests, was conducted on both untreated and silane-treated specimens. Tensile tests revealed consistent strength improvements post-silane treatment (10.8%–19.4%), attributed to enhanced interfacial bonding. Flexural strength tests demonstrated notable gains (13.5%–20.8%), emphasizing the role of the PET core and pineapple fibre, with silane treatment optimizing adhesion. Impact test results displayed varied responses, suggesting complex interactions between components. Interlaminar shear strength consistently improved with silane treatment (9.68%–36.19%), showcasing collaborative effects. Flammability tests confirmed fire resistance in both composites, with nuanced thermal conductivity changes post-treatment (6.4%–18.6%). The study underscores the intricate interplay between the PET core, pineapple fibre, and silane treatment, collectively contributing to enhanced mechanical performance, fire resistance, and thermal behaviour in the composite materials. The integrated findings emphasize the intricate interplay between the recycled PET core, pineapple leaf fibre, and the effects of silane treatment, showcasing enhanced mechanical performance and potential suitability for load-bearing applications in the investigated composite material.