Thermal and Mechanical Properties of High-Performance Polyester Hybrid Nanobiocomposites Reinforced with Pre-treated Short Pineapple Leaf Fibers for Automotive Applications

Natural fiber composites have attracted significant interest due to their potential to replace synthetic composites at a lower cost while also providing improved environmental sustainability. However, natural fiber composites suffer from poor mechanical properties and higher water absorption rates. Specifically, we are focusing on creating hybrid nanobiocomposites using short pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), polyester resin (PE), ceramic powder (CP), and nano-SiO₂ materials through compression molding techniques. In this study, we have successfully coated natural pretreated PALFs with nanosilica and CP to enhance their mechanical properties and reduce water absorption. The application of nanosilica materials onto PALF fibers has significantly improved the interfacial compression strength by approximately 322% and tensile strength by around 87% compared with untreated fibers. By incorporation of silica nanoparticles and CP into a PALF/PE biocomposite system, a two-phase compatible interface can be established. This integration enhances the absorption of external forces, ultimately strengthening the mechanical properties of PALF/PE biocomposites. The inclusion of 2% nano-SiO₂ has also led to a substantial reduction in water absorption of the biocomposites, decreasing from 51.1% in untreated samples to as low as 5.5% in the NaOH-treated nanobiocomposite. The development of high-performance natural fiber nanocomposites represents a significant advancement in the quest to replace synthetic composites in various real-world applications. These composites have a wide range of applications including but not limited to the automotive industry, household products, and even the aerospace industry.