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I t h a New York 14853-4401This paper presents the mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional, degradable, environment-friendly "green" composites made from pineapple fibers and poly(hydrovbutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) resin. Tensile and flexural properties of the "green" composites with different fiber contents were measured in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Compared to those of virgin resin, the tensile and flexural strengths of "green" composites are sigmfkantly higher in the longitudinal direction while they are lower in the transverse direction. However, the mechanical properties are lower than those predicted by simple models. scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs of the tensile h c t u r e surfaces demonstrate fibers being pulled out from the matrix, the interfacial failure, fiber fibrillation, and the nonunidirectional nature of the "green" composites. The thermal behavior of the "green" composites, studied by differential scanning calorimetry @SC) and thermogravimetric analysis F A ) , showed that the presence of pineapple fibers does not affect the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, crystallinity, and thermal decomposition of PHBV resin.

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