Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibers by Mercerization Process

Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were modified by the mercerization process to improve their mechanical properties for applications in composites. The changes in the morphology and mechanical properties of fibers were evaluated after using different conditions (temperature and sodium hydroxide concentration) for the mercerization process. The study was done using X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mercerization treatments caused a reduction in the diameter of fibers, either due removal of surface impurities, disintegration of middle lamella and/or interfibrillar swelling. Mechanical properties of mercerized fibers were modified. The highest tensile strength was observed when mercerization was done at a temperature of 60 °C and alkali concentration of 3 % wt.