Investigation of the Mechanical and Morphological Behavior of Hybrid PALF-Kenaf Composites Reinforced with Hydroxyapatite and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

This research examines the mechanical, biodegradable, and morphological properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), kenaf fiber (KF), and hybridized PALF-KF composites reinforced with hydroxyapatite and zinc oxide nano-fillers. The composites were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding. Mechanical properties such as tensile, impact, flexural, and hardness were evaluated in accordance with ASTM standards. The PALF–kenaf hybrid composite achieved a maximum tensile strength of 55.38 MPa, impact strength of 7.68 kJ/m2, and hardness of 84.62, while the neat PALF composite exhibited the highest flexural strength of 106.56 MPa. Biodegradability assessments indicated that natural fiber composites degraded more significantly than nano-reinforced composites, with PALF-rich variants showing greater weight loss over time. SEM analysis revealed strong fiber–matrix bonding in the hybrid composites. However, the agglomeration of nano-fillers resulted in lower strength values for PALF-KF hybrid composites. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing hybrid natural fiber composites to enhance their mechanical and morphological behavior.