Study of mechanical properties of poly (lactic ACID) (pla) / pineapple leaf fiber (palf) and graphene nanoplatelet reinforced composite materials /

Aisyah Radhiyah Binti Yaakob,

Study of mechanical properties of poly (lactic ACID) (pla) / pineapple leaf fiber (palf) and graphene nanoplatelet reinforced composite materials / Aisyah Radhiyah Binti Yaakob - xv, 68 pages : illustrations ;

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2024

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising biodegradable and eco-friendly plastic, but it has its limitations due to its brittleness and its low durability. To overcome this limitation, this research analyses the reinforcement of PLA with pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). This includes the untreated and alkaline treatment of PALF, also graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The use of natural fibers, such as PALF, offers advantages including low density, high specific strength, renewable resources, and biodegradability, making them ideal for sustainable applications. The research aims to compare the mechanical properties of PLA/PALF/GNP composites with different PLA to PALF fiber loadings and starch ratios. Composite samples were prepared by blending PLA pellets and starch, incorporating alkali-treated PALF and untreated PALF, and forming the composites through solvent casting. A systematic methodology involving solvent casting for composite fabrication and subsequent characterization through tensile, thermal (TGA), SEM, and chemical (FTIR) analyses. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, and chemical properties of PLA/PALF/GNP composites were evaluated. Demonstrating results where significant improvements can be observed in tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability for PLA/PALF/GNP composites, attributed to the synergistic effects of treated PALF and GNP. This study brings comprehensive insight into the mechanical behaviour of these high-performance composites, which can lead to potential load-bearing limitations and helps to improve resource saving during the development of new generation fiber-reinforced composites materials. This study proposes that mechanical properties of composite materials derived from PLA/PALF/GNP could improve the outer appearance of composites for various applications by supporting the mechanical property dilemma that appears with increasing concerns for sustainability in composites.

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