Effect of surface treatment on performance of pineapple leaf fiber-polycarbonate composites

This research is to study the properties of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced polycarbonate composites (PC/PALF). Surface of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was pre-treated with sodium hydroxide (PALF/NaOH) and modified with two different functionalities such as gamma-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6011) and gamma-methacryloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (PALF/Z-6030). The effects of PALF content and chemical treatment were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing. The modified pineapple leaf fibers composite also produces enhanced mechanical properties. Young's modulus is the highest in the case of the PALF/NaOH composites. The PALF/Z-6011 composites showed the highest tensile strength and impact strength. In thermal property, the results from thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of the composites is lower than that of neat polycarbonate resin and thermal stability decreased with increasing pineapple leaf fiber content. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.