The Effect of Compatibilising Agent and Surface Modification on the Physical Properties of Short Pineapple Leaf Fibre (PALF) Reinforced High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of compatibilising agent and surface modification of short pineapple leaf fibre on physical properties of short pineapple leaf fibre reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites. The purpose of using the compatibilising agents in this study was to modify the HIPS which include the polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-poly(styrene-graft-maleic anhydride) and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride). Meanwhile, the alkali treatment was also used to modify the natural fibre surface of short PALF. The results have shown that adding compatibilising agent has improved the physical properties of the composites more effectively than by only using alkali treatment to modify the natural fibre surface.