Effect of alkali treatment on the water absorption of hybrid pineapple leaf/ glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

In this research, the Pineapple Leaf fibre (PALF) have been previously treated with various Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) concentration percentages in the range between 0% to 10% at 1hour Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution immersion time and dried in oven at 80°C for 24 hours. The influence of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on Pineapple Leaf fibre (PALF) tensile properties was studied. The result of tensile test on PALF treated showed an improvement in tensile strength with highest value of 43.13MPa of treated Pineapple Leaf fibre (PALF), particularly the treated PALF with 7% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) concentration. The 7% treated Pineapple Leaf fibre (PALF) was then selected to use as raw materials for hybrid composites with glass reinforced epoxy matrix. The hybrid composites were subjected to distilled water immersion to study moisture absorption behavior on hybrid composites with four different layer sequences named 4P, PGGP, GPPG and PGPG. The pure Pineapple Leaf fibre (PALF) (4P) have recorded highest percentage for both moisture uptake as well as thickness swelling as compared to the other hybrid composites with value of 12.16% and 51.30% respectively. Hybrid composites are the candidate to be used a pressure vessel especially in oil gas and marine industry that deal with wet and dry environment.