Enhancing vinyl ester composites with biocarbon from pineapple leaf fiber and dragon fruit peel waste: a characterization study

This study explores a new composite material enhanced with biocarbon from Selenicereus undatus (dragon fruit) and pineapple fibers, set in a sturdy vinyl ester base. We used a green method, pyrolysis, to obtain the biocarbon, adding an eco-friendly aspect to our work. Following the strict ASTM standards, we crafted the composites using the hand layup method to ensure quality and consistency. Our findings reveal that the composite named VPB3, with its specific mix of 2% biocarbon and 40% pineapple fiber, shows outstanding mechanical strength, achieving high marks in tensile, flexural, and compression strengths, along with significant impact resistance. However, increasing the biocarbon content in another composite, VPB4, slightly lowered these properties due to the clumping of biocarbon but improved hardness and wear resistance. VPB3 also exhibited excellent fatigue resistance, while VPB4 showed reduced creep and better hydrophobic properties. Overall, our research highlights the benefits of adding biocarbon and pineapple fibers to composites, enhancing their strength, durability, and environmental resistance. The use of these natural fibers not only improves the material’s performance but also contributes to a more sustainable approach to composite manufacturing.