Physical Properties of Pineapple Fiber and Mechanical Testing for Scrub Pads Application

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the mechanical separation of fibers
from pineapple leaves and to study the production of the scrub pads from pineapple leaf
fiber of different lengths. The raw material was the leaves of Pattavia pineapple in Rayong
Province, Thailand. The methodology focused on the study of the separation of pineapple
leaf fiber with the semi-automatic fiber separator machine, the physical properties of the
pineapple leaf fibers as well as the efficiency of the production of the pineapple leaf
fibers and the production of the scrub pads from pineapple leaf fiber by lengths of three,
six and nine centimeters. The results found that the characteristics of long section had
articulate, rough surfaces. For the cross section, it was found that the fibers had lumens at
their diameter. Regarding the physical properties of pineapple leaves fibers, it was found
that the average fiber length was 30-50 centimeters, with a tensile strength of 24.95
grams/denier and 34.69 % elongation. For productivity, it was found that one kilogram of
fresh pineapples could produced 66 grams of fibers (6.6% of the total products), in 10.35
minutes. The results of the scrub pads production from the three length sizes found that
there were five processes the weight scale, lengthwise cutting, pounding, forming and
sewing scrub pads are convenient and easy ways to save energy. The result of useful
resistance of the scrub pads found that scrub pads from pineapple leaf fibers with a
length nine centimeters had the best durability against abrasion (level four) There
differences of weight and thickness before and after averaged 0.133 gram and 0.825 mm,
respectively.