Influence of organically modified nanoclay on the performance of pineapple leaf fiber‐reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

Polypropylene/Pine apple leaf fiber (PP/PALF)‐reinforced nanocomposites were fabricated using melt blending technique in a twin‐screw extruder (Haake Rheocord 9000). Variation in mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, water absorption, and thermal stability with the addition of nanoclay in PP/PALF composites were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of PP increase with the increase in fiber loading from 10 to 30 wt %. Composites prepared using 30 wt % PALF and 5 wt % MA‐g‐PP exhibited optimum mechanical performance with an increase in tensile strength to 31%, flexural strength to 45% when compared with virgin PP. Addition of nanoclay results in a further increase in tensile and flexural strength of PP/PALF composites to 20 and 24.3%, which shows intercalated morphology. However, addition of nanoclay does not show any substantial increase in impact strength when compared with PP/PALF composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests revealed an increase in storage modulus (E′) and damping factor (tan δ), confirming a strong influence between the fiber/nanoclay and MA‐g‐PP. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis thermograms also showed improved thermal properties when compared with the virgin matrix. TEM micrographs also showed few layers of agglomerated clay galleries along with mixed nanomorphology in the nanocomposites. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction studies indicated an increase in d‐spacing from 22.4 Å in Cloisite 20A to 40.1 Å in PP/PALF nanocomposite because of improved intercalated morphology. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Potentiality of Indian pineapple leaf fiber for apparels

The use of textile-grade fiber extracted from the Indian pineapple leaf is an unexplored area. Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is fine, soft, and moderately strong and is much acceptable for fashion garment. An attempt has been made to extract and soften Indian PALF from the pineapple leaves by decortication and subsequent water retting. Decorticated cum retted fiber has shown better physicomechanical and surface appearance properties than decorticated fiber. Fine yarn (38 tex) was spun in a suitable spinning system, and the property performance was found to be suitable to make eco-sustainable novelty fabric. Fabric was developed by using cotton as warp yarn and PALF-based yarn as weft in a handloom. The developed fabric shows very good physical and mechanical properties, desired for apparels. This inferred that Indian PALF may be successfully used to make eco-niche apparel quality fabric as well as novelty textiles.     

Studies of Cu(II)–IO4− initiated graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate from defatted pineapple leaf fibres

A study of the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) from defatted pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) was carried out in the temperature range 45–55 °C, using a copper sulphate (CuSO₄) and potassium periodate (KIO₄) combination as initiator in an aqueous medium. Effects of variation of time and temperature, concentration of Cu(II), KIO₄ and MMA, the amount of PALF, and also the effects of some inorganic salts and organic solvents on the percentage of graft yield have been investigated. On the basis of experimental findings, a reaction mechanism is proposed. FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy of the original defatted PALF and MMA grafted PALF have been carried out. The thermal stability of PALF is improved through grafting. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical modification of pineapple leaf fiber: Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto defatted pineapple leaf fibers

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) onto defatted pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was studied using a CuSO₄ and KIO₄ combination as an initiator in an aqueous medium in the temperature range 30–50⁰C. The effects of the concentration of potassium periodate, CuSO₄, and monomer on the graft yield were investigated. The effects of time, temperature, amount of some inorganic salts, and organic solvents on the graft yield are also reported. A combination of Cu⁺²—IO in an aqueous medium with an IO concentration of 0.005 mol L⁻¹ and Cu⁺² concentration of 0.002 mol L⁻¹ produced optimum grafting for use of 0.1 g defatted PALF with a fiber‐to‐liquor ratio of 1:50 at 50⁰C for 2 h. However, KIO₄ and CuSO₄ failed to induce polymerization of AN in the presence of PALF when used separately. FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis of the defatted and AN‐grafted PALF were carried out. Grafting improved the thermal stability of PALF. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 3035–3043, 2000     

Effects of Simple Abrasive Combing and Pretreatments on the Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibers (Palf) and Palf-Vinyl Ester Composite Adhesion

Despite being mechanically and environmentally sound, pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) are of little use in Malaysia and the least studied for composite applications. In this study effects of abrasive combing and simple pretreatments on PALF and their adhesion to vinyl ester were investigated. In pineapple leaves, PALF are present in top lamina as large vascular bundles and bottom lamina as fine strands. Tensile strength and modulus of fine PALF strands are 155% and 134% higher than those of vascular bundles respectively. Abrasive combing reduced PALF diameters by 50.3% resulting in finer bundles with 48.6% higher modulus and 51.5% greater strength without much negative effects on fiber integrity. Water-soak did not change PALF tensile properties significantly, while dilute sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution improved PALF modulus and strength by as much as 123% and 35% respectively while reducing elongation at break by 47%. Dilute solution of NaOCl changed PALF structurally through higher crystallinity and closer packing resulting in increased tensile strength and modulus. PALF thermal stability was also enhanced. PALF-vinyl ester adhesion improved due to bleach pretreatment indicated by significantly reduced fiber pull-out length of broken PALF-vinyl ester composites. Morphological study using scanning electron microscope was used to confirm the findings. This study indicated that abrasive combing and simple pretreatment of dilute sodium hypochlorite are potential techniques to produce cost-effective PALF for reinforcing plastics.     

Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Infused with Silicon Carbide Micro Particles

Natural fiber composite materials are finding applications in the manufacturing of the nonstructural parts in different areas of aerospace, automobiles…etc. In this study, the effect of addition of silicon carbide (SiC) particles on the mechanical properties of the pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)-reinforced polymer composite is examined using a two-step approach. Finite element analysis was performed to characterize the properties of the equivalent epoxy/SiC matrix. Then, using the equivalent matrix properties, the hybrid composite with the PALF fiber is characterized. It was observed that the infusion of the particles has increased the shear properties of the fiber reinforced composite material significantly.     

菠萝叶纤维的性能与纺纱分析研究

文章详细介绍了菠萝叶纤维的形态结构、化学成分、物理机械性能等,探讨其脱胶处理并确定了较优的脱胶方案,重点介绍了菠萝叶纤维与羊毛混纺纺纱工艺及纺纱特性,并论述了其研究热点和未来的发展趋势.