Abstract. Pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) was hybridized with kenaf fibre in order to achieve superior physical and flammability performance. The mixing effects of kenaf fibre and pineapple leaf fibre in phenolic composites are evaluated at various fibre ratios and investigated various physical properties such as density, void content water absorption, thickness swelling and flammability. Pure kenaf fibre composite showed lowest void content, water absorption and thickness swelling while pineapple leaf fibre revealed the opposite trend. After adding pineapple leaf fibre in kenaf composites, it absorbed more moisture and developed more void contents. Density of PALF composite was lower and kenaf fibre composite was highest but PALF/kenaf hybrid composite increased density with higher PALF. The flammability of hybrid composites were analysed by using UL-94 test method. Vertical and horizontal UL-94 test conducted to analyse fire resistance of composites from different angles. Phenolic resin is itself a fire resistant polymer and the percentage of polymer in all samples are fixed though ratios of both fibres pineapple leaf fibre and kenaf were change to analyse fire resistant of fibres and compatibility with polymers. The 70 % pineapple leaf fibre and 30 % kenaf fibre hybrid composites were very affective to improve the flammability of PALF/KF hybrid composites.
1.Introduction As far as the environment is the concern, renewable resources of materials are the best alternative material of good economic potential and protection of nature, since, the renewable resources are characterized as biodegradable and recyclable, lignocellulosic fibres belong to this category [1]. Nowadays, natural fibres as reinforced material have been increased considerably due its low price compared to synthetic fibers [2]. Waste management of lignocellulosic and renewable materials and poor mechanical strength and thermal stability of polymers can be improved by developing natural fibres reinforced polymer composites [3][4][5]. Some plants fibres have potential to be applied in industries as raw materials such as pineapple, kenaf, coir, abaca, sisal, cotton, jute, bamboo, banana, Palmyra, talipot, hemp, and flex [6][7]. Pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) is one of the waste materials in agriculture sector, which is widely grown in Malaysia as well as Asia. After banana and citrus, pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most essential tropical fruits in the world [8]. Natural fibres influenced mechanical strength due to chemical composition such as to cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and its orientation and some other factors such as type of plant, environmental factors during growth as well as extraction methods used [9]. Usage of natural fibre can replace synthetic fibres to minimise health hazards, low density and high flexibility [10].Recently, polymer hybrid composites have become the attraction into production of mechanical stable and renewable products [11]. Polymer hybrid composites are formed by incorporating two and