Pineapple leaf fibre, which is rich in cellulose, relative inexpensive and abundantly available has the potential for polymer-reinforced composite. The present study investigates the tensile and flexural behaviours of pineapple leaf fibre-polypropylene composites as a function of volume fraction. The tensile modulus and tensile strength of the composites were found to be increasing with fibre content in accordance with the rule of mixtures. The tensile modulus and tensile strength with a volume fraction 10.8% are 687.02 and 37.28 MPa, respectively. The flexural modulus gives higher value at 2.7% volume fraction. The flexural strength of the composites containing 5.4% volume fraction was found to be higher than that of pure polypropylene resin by 5.1%. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to understand the fibre-matrix adhesion and fibre breakage.

A literature review of the development, mechanical properties and uses of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) reinforced polymer composites is presented in this paper. The mechanical properties of PALF composites as determined by various researchers are discussed, together with chemical, thermal and physical properties. Both thermosetting and thermoplastic resins have been used as matrices for PALF composites. Most of the work surveyed used short PALF. Manufacturing methods such as injection moulding, hand lay up and compression moulding were usually employed for making composite samples.