Characterization of Pineapple Leaf Fibers with 5% Alkali Treatment for Composite Reinforcement

Pineapple leaf fibers (PLF) were characterized to assess their potential as reinforcement of composite-based polymer. PLF were alkali-treated at 5% by weight for 2 h. This study examined the impact of a 5% alkali treatment on PLF properties. Density, Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM EDS), and the single fiber tensile test, the properties of the untreated (PLF) and alkali-treated PLF (APLF) were assessed. It was found that the average diameter of the UPLF was 0.10551 ± 0.01 mm whereas the APLF was 0.070 ± 0.02 mm, resulting in a 31.3% reduction in diameter. The 5% alkali-treated fibers showed an 8.8% increase in density from untreated 1.59 gr/cm3 to 1.75 gr/cm3. The morphological observations exhibited that the surface of APLF was cleaner and had more roughness than that of UPLF. Tensile stress was higher in the fibers treated with 5% alkali (373.88 ± 46.06 MPa) compared to (189.16 ± 39.8 MPa). It could be found that the 5% alkali-treated pineapple leaf fiber had great potential application as a reinforcing agent for polymer composites.