Effect of matrix orientation and fiber content on the properties of uniaxial pineapple leaf fiber – polypropylene composites

Composites reinforced with aligned short pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and polypropylene (PP) were successfully prepared and studied. First, PALF -PP composites were prepared by melt mixing on a two-roll mill and taken out to form uniaxial ‘prepreg’. The ‘prepreg’ was stacked and compressed at 175 and 195°C to form uniaxial sheets. Small and wide angle x-ray scattering patterns reveal that the crystalline orientation and stacked structure are still preserved in sheets compressed at 175°C. However those compressed at 195°C lose all. Composites prepared at 175°C display greater modulus and strength. This is due to the combined effect of matrix and PALF orientation.