Characteristics of Pulp Fibers as Green Potential Polymer Reinforcing Agents

Abstract

Three kinds of pulps (i.e kenaf, pineapple and coconut fiber) were characterized as reinforcing agents in composite materials to be applied at automotive interior industry. A better understanding on characteristics of fiber will lead to enhance interface adhesion between fiber and matrices. Chemical, surface compositions, and morphology of pulp fiber were investigated using TAPPI standard test method, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and optical microscopy, respectively. Morphology of fiber was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Pineapple pulps showed the highest α-cellulose content than that of kenaf or coconut pulps. However, it has the lowest hemicellulose content among them. This condition takes responsibility for the difficulties of pineapple pulps defibrillation process. Much fines or external fibrillations are presence on both kenaf and pineapple pulp’s morphology, but it is not presence in the coconut pulps. Coconut fiber is shorter than the other two fibers with diameter size estimated in the order pineapple < kenaf < coconut pulps. FTIR analysis shown quite similar absorption from all pulps, except for coconut pulps due to the remaining lignin on the surface of fiber that showed by the presence of C-O phenol stretching at 1280 cm-1. Kenaf pulps fiber is suitable candidate for polymer reinforcing agents compared to pineapple and coconut pulps fiber.

Key words: cellulose, characteristics, composite, interface, pulp fibers