Thermal properties of coir and pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polylactic acid hybrid composites

This study examined the thermal behaviour of raw coir fibre (CF) and pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) reinforced Poly lactic acid (PLA) composites. Coir fibres were hybridized with PALF in order to achieved better thermal stability. The biocomposites contained 30% (vol.) fibres in the form of short fibres (1-2 mm), and the composite samples were made up by different fibre ratios. In this research, the composites were fabricated by hot press at 180°C for 10 minutes pre-heat and 3 minutes press after melt compounding the fibres and polymer in Internal Mixer Brabender. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of different fibre ratio on the thermal properties of CF/PALF/PLA hybrid composites by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of different fibre ratios in hybridization and thermal degradation of CF/PALF hybrid composites was analyzed and C1P1 hybrid composite showed highest thermal stability in all composites samples. Thermal properties of CF/PALF/PLA hybrid composites vary with fibre ratio probably due to difference in chemical composition of the two fibres. C1P1 hybrid composites (1CF: 1PALF) showed highest thermal stability all composites which could be due to optimum hybridisation of both fibres. The thermal degradation analysis showed that both CF and PALF slightly affected the thermal stability of PLA composites. Consequently, surface treatments of CF and PALF will be effective to further improve composite's thermal stability. (paper)