Abstract
Composite laminates of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) with pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) were made by sandwiching one layer of fiber between two layers of polymer films with different fiber orientations and lengths (uni-direction and non-woven mat, long and short fibers), fiber contents (0-30%) and composite thickness (0.5 and 1 mm). The results show that PALF utilization as high-strength reinforcing fiber for LDPE and PP matrix provided an increased tensile strength with PALF contents while the elongation was sharply decreased. The fiber orientation in the uni-direction could be attributed to the greater adhesion in the polymer matrix, which resulted in individual and separated dispersions in the matrix. However, the fiber orientation in the non-woven mat could be controlled easier in process, and homogeneous arrangement showed that the tensile strength results were not significantly different for both polymers and sheet thicknesses.
