Studies on Thermal and Chemical Behavior of Polymer Composites Reinforced with Pineapple, Sisal, and Kenaf Fibers

In the presented work, three fibers (pineapple, sisal, and kenaf) were reinforced with epoxy polymer matrix and hybrid composite of pineapple, sisal, and kenaf fiber reinforced with epoxy also fabricated. All the developed composite specimens characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA) and chemical compositions of prepared specimens were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Experimental findings of thermal analysis achieved that addition of natural fibers with epoxy polymer provides the thermal stability of developed composite. Hybrid pineapple/sisal/kenaf/epoxy composite attained maximum temperature for initiation of thermal degradation and highest glass transition temperature as compared to other fiber-based composites. In FTIR analysis, absorbance peak between wavenumbers 599.15 and 3997.2 cm−1 represent the occurrence of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. Absorbance peaks between wavenumber of 3000 and 3997 cm−1 denote the occurrence of hydroxyl group and creation of hydrogen bonding in all prepared composite specimens.