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Physico-mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf and Banana Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Fiber Ratio and Sodium Hydroxide Treatment

S. Das
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

M. Rahman
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

M. Hasan
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Natural fibers are becoming abundant and viable substitute for the synthetic fibers day by day, as synthetic fibers are expensive and nonrenewable. The main aim of present research is to evaluate the effect of sodium hydroxide treatment and banana and pineapple leaf fiber ratio on mechanical and physical properties of pineapple leaf-banana fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites. Hybrid composites were prepared using a hot press machine. Raw pineapple leaf and banana fiber were chemically treated with 5% sodium hydroxide to increase adhesion between the fibers and polypropylene. Both raw and alkali treated fibers at 5 wt% were utilized during composite preparation. Pineapple leaf and banana fiber ratios were varied in 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. Morphological analysis (scanning electron microscopy) and mechanical (tensile, flexural and hardness) tests of prepared composites were subsequently conducted. Better adhesion between the fibers and polypropylene was observed in case of treated fiber composites as compared to raw fiber composites. Scanning electron microscopic analysis also showed better bonding between the fibers and polypropylene when pineapple leaf and banana fiber ratio was 3:1. Subsequently the best set of mechanical properties was attained for that particular fiber ratio.

Keywords: Banana and pineapple leaf fiber; Polypropylene; Hybrid composite; Sodium hydroxide treatment.

Location: Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Physical and Mechanical Properties

Commodity: Pineapple, Banana

Objectives:

The aim of this research is to develop a new hybrid using inexpensive and eco-friendly banana and pineapple leaf fiber. Effects of fiber ratio and chemical treatment on physicomechanical properties of pineapple leaf and banana fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composite were observed.

Methodology:

2.1 Materials The thermoplastic polymer polypropylene (PP), supplied by the local market in the form of homopolymer pellets, was used as matrix material. The PP was white in color. The melting point of the commercial PP lies in the range of 160-170°C, while the specific gravity is 0.90-0.91. Banana fiber was extracted from the pseudo stem sheath of the plant. Pineapple leaf fiber was collected from pineapple leaf, which is actually a left out portion of pineapple. When extracted, the fibers contained moisture. So, they were dried after extraction. The chemical used to both pineapple leaf and banana fiber is 5% NaOH.

2.2 Chemical treatment of natural fiber Firstly 5% solution was prepared into a beaker. Then the dried extracted fibers were drowned into the solution and stirred properly, so that all fibers were wet with the solution. Then the beaker containing the solution with fiber was taken to the oven for heating. It was heated at 70o C for about two and half hours. After two and half hours the beaker was taken out from the oven. Then the fibers were washed at first with tap water. Then they were washed with distilled water. The fibers contained water and evaporation was needed. That is why they were taken to the oven for the complete evaporation of moisture. They were heated for two hours in an oven at 180o C. After complete evaporation of moisture they were taken out from the oven.

2.3 Manufacturing of composites Hybrid composite of polypropylene and banana-pineapple leaf fiber was prepared using hot press machine. Hybrid composite was prepared for pineapple leaf and banana fiber in 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 rations and 5wt% fibers. Composites were prepared by taking 5% NaOH treated pineapple and banana fiber at a ratio of 3:1 using the same hot press technique. Fibers were weighted according to the required volume fraction needed. Then both fibers were cut into 3 mm size in length. The required amount of polypropylene was weighted. To prevent voids, water bubbles and poor fiber matrix adhesion of the polypropylene was dried in an oven at about 80o C for 20 minutes. Mold surface was cleaned very carefully and the mold releasing agent was sprayed over the mold surface properly for the easy removal of the product. Then at first a layer of polypropylene was poured into the female mould. Chopped fiber was given to the layer. Then again a layer of polypropylene was given on the chopped fiber. The female mould with randomly oriented fiber and polypropylene were covered with the male mould according to the indication provided in both mould. Then the die was placed in a hot pressing machine. In the present study, a hydraulic type machine having a capacity of maximum load of 50 kN and maximum temperature of 300^o C was used. The fiber matrix mixture was allowed to press at 30 kN pressures. The temperature was initially raised to 160^o C and hold there for around 20-25 minutes. After that the temperature was raised to 190^o C. The die was cooled to room temperature, pressure was released and the specimen was carefully withdrawn from the die. The same procedure was applied to other percentage of fiber. For making composite with treated fiber, the above procedure was followed.

2.4 Mechanical testing Tensile, flexure and hardness tests of prepared composites were conducted. Tensile test was conducted according to ASTM D 638-01 using an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 5mm/min. Each test was continued until tensile failure. Static flexural tests were carried out according to ASTM D 790-00 using the same testing machine mentioned above at same crosshead speed. The hardness of composites was measured using a shore hardness testing machine on scale D.

2.5 Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis Surface morphology of the raw and chemically treated fiber composites was observed under a scanning electron microscope (Philips XL 30). The composites surface was initially made conductive by applying gold coating using a sputtering machine. The composites were then taken inside SEM, the vacuum was created and micrographs were taken.

Source of Information: 4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012027

Article Link (Online Journal): doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012027

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In present research, effect of pineapple leaf and the banana fiber ratio and alkali treatment of those fibers on physical and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf and banana fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites are observed. Composites were prepared with pineapple leaf and banana fiber in 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 ratio and treated pineapple leaf and banana fiber at 3:1 ratio for 5 fiber wt% using hot press machine. Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, hardness) were higher for 3:1 fiber ratio compositeas compared to the other fiber ratio. SEM micrographs showed better bonding between fiber and matrix in case of 3:1 fiber ratio. Treated fiber composites had better bonding between fiber and matrix and better mechanical properties as compared to untreated fiber composites.

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