Characterization of Treated and Untreated Pineapple Leaf Fiber for Engineering Applications

The pursuit of sustainable engineering solutions has led to a surge in the utilization of natural materials, particularly agro-waste, for value-added applications. In the current research, the pineapple leaf fibers sourced from the southern part of India to develop composites are considered for treatment and subsequent usage as composites. To effectively reinforce these composites, selecting appropriate preprocessing routes is paramount. However, natural fibers pose unique challenges, being highly sensitive to heat and chemicals during processing. Moreover, the mechanical processing involved in shortening fibers alters their morphology and composition, crucial factors influencing composite properties. In this study, we meticulously characterize short fibers obtained through controlled mixer grinding and ball milling methods, comparing treated and untreated fibers. Utilizing optical microscopy, fiber composition analysis, and FTIR, we analyze morphological changes and compositional variations induced by different processing techniques such as grinding and ball milling. The findings shed light on optimizing preprocessing routes to maximize the strength and durability of natural fiber composites, thereby advancing sustainable engineering practices.