In evaluating thermoplastics for their effective performance during processing, rheology properti... more In evaluating thermoplastics for their effective performance during processing, rheology properties are very useful. Similarly, in designing processing apparatus, knowledge of rheological behavior of composite melt is critical. In this study, melt flow and viscosity behavior of polypropylene/kenaf fibre composite was investigated using a single-screw extruder. Subsequently, flow behavior of the compounded formulation were evaluated by comparing the melt flow index, flow curve and viscosity curve of the PP and that of the composites at 190 o C processing temperature and varying the fibre size. There appears to be a positive linear increase of the apparent shear stress with increase in the apparent shear rate and, as expected, viscosity values for the composite samples are much higher than the PP especially at larger fibre size. The additional of kenaf fibre in composite reduces the MFI value basically because of the hindrances in the plastic flow of the polymer. In addition the increase in viscosity with increase in fibre loading might contributed to the high specific area of the fibre in the matrix thereby increasing the shear stress in the composite. Moreover loading of polymer system with fibre tends to disturb or disorganize the normal free movement of the polymer and certainly hindered the mobility chain segments in flow.
In a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction of our environment, so man... more In a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction of our environment, so many research work has been conducted and still ongoing as to the possibility of using natural fibres that are wholly degradable in combination with biodegradable thermoplastic materials. This has shown significant result so far and this effort needs to be further consolidated so that our environment can be safe and saved from destruction. It is for this reason that this paper is geared through reviewing studied and published results and brings out converging problems associated with biodegradable composite and partially degradable ones so that these associated problems can be tackled in further research. This review however will focus on Kenaf; a very important natural fibre with robust mechanical properties. Good number of journal papers have been reviewed here that touch on cultivation of kenaf and its consequent effect, chemical treatment of natural fibres, matrix combinations, processing techniques, environmental effects on composite, critical fibre length, some works done on Malaysian cultivated kenaf and use of coupling agents to improve linkages between fibre and polymeric matrixes. Most of the studies so far discussed tend to arrive at the problem of wettability of the composites which inhibits further increase in fibre loading and consequent fibre pull-out. Various areas of further study have been highlighted to tackle the aforementioned problems in composite production.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2011
Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiv... more Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiving encouraging attention because it offers a range of properties that may be difficult to obtain with a single kind of reinforcement. In this study, tensile, flexural, and impact properties of hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite were studied. Sheets from which tensile, flexural, and impact specimens were cut out were produced from the compression molding of composite pellets and subsequently conditioned in an oven for 21 h at 103 C. The tensile and flexural specimens were tested according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D790 using a 5-kN INSTRON bluehill universal testing machine accordingly. While a notched Izoid impact test was conducted using a 1-J universal pendulum according to ASTM D256. All specimens were prepared at a fiber ratio of 1:1 kenaf:PALF and fiber lengths of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 2 mm; fiber loadings of between 10% and 70% were utilized for the study. About 0.25 mm fiber showed the best tensile and flexural properties with a linear increase in properties up to 60% fiber loading while impact strength showed better property with 0.75 and 2 mm fiber lengths. At 0.25 mm fiber length, tensile strength of 32.24 MPa, flexural strength and modulus of 34.01 MPa and 4114.11 MPa, respectively, were observed at 60% fiber loading. Moduli results of all the composites formulated generally obeyed the ROM. SEM was used to examine the surface of composites produced. Tensile and impact strengths result showed inverse proportionality while flexural strength of the composite generally adhered to the ROM. However, a positive effect was observed in the case of composite's impact strength in respect of increasing fiber length. Thus, reduction in some mechanical properties of the composite with respect to increasing fiber length is attributed more to fiber entanglement rather than attrition.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2011
Hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite was produced and characterized. Prepared hybrids ... more Hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite was produced and characterized. Prepared hybrids were irradiated at various doses of EBI and subsequently with 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations of vinyltri(2-methoxy ethoxy) silane and TMPTMA as cross-linking agents. The effects of EBI on the mechanical properties of treated and untreated composites were compared. Specimens without cross-linking agents were irradiated using a 2.0 MeV EB accelerator at dose range of 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kGy. Thereafter, 10 kGy was selected to irradiate specimens that were prepared with cross-linking agents. Hybrid without the addition of any cross-linking agent showed increase in tensile strength and modulus with increase in radiation dose. Flexural strength, however, showed decline at 80 and 100 kGy. Optimum impact strength was obtained in hybrid prepared without cross-linking agents and at only 10 kGy, while 20 kGy gave superior flexural modulus. Unlike in tensile strength, silane performed better as a cross-linking agent in flexural properties than TMPTMA. Additions of cross-linking agents had less significantly improved the tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid. It was clear that HDPE self-cross-linked by radiation, making silane and TMPTMA less effective. Fractured surfaces of the composites, examined by a scanning electron microscope showed good adhesion between fiber and matrix.
This work is aimed at achieving optimum processing parameters for Kenaf/PALF/HDPE. Processing par... more This work is aimed at achieving optimum processing parameters for Kenaf/PALF/HDPE. Processing parameters like temperature, speed of rotor and duration of composite mixing in an internal mixer were examined. Oven conditioned and unconditioned specimen were prepared and tested. The best tensile strength and tensile modulus were obtained at an optimum processing parameters of 190 o C, 40rpm, and 15min for temperature of processing, speed of rotor and duration of mixing respectively, while 190 o C, 40rpm and 20min gave the best flexural strength and 190 o C, 40rpm and 25min for flexural modulus. Conditioning of composite tends to reduce its tensile modulus while increasing its strength and flexural modulus. All samples were produced at only 10w%(mass) of fibre in the composite at 1:1 and less than 0.3mm fibre ratio and length respectively. Utilization of these parameters according to end requirement can help in achieving optimum mechanical properties on hybridized composites.
Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is f... more Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiving encouraging attention because it offers range of properties that are quite difficult to obtain with a single kind of reinforcement. In this work, tensile strength and modulus of hybridized kenaf/PALF reinforced HDPE composite was examined. Pellets were produced form the mixture of the composite in an internal mixer at 190 o C, 40rpm and 25minutes for processing temperature, speed and duration of mixing respectively. The composite sheets with thickness of 1mm produced from pellets were prepared using compression moulding. Then the tensile specimen were prepared and tested using an INSTRON bluehill universal testing machine according to ASTM D638 requirements. All samples were prepared at 1:1 kenaf:PALF ratio; ≤0.25mm and ≤0.5mm fibre length; fiber loading of 10 to 40% were utilized. Linear relationship of tensile modulus was observed with about 26% reduction in tensile strength at 10% fibre loading that subsequently reduced but with a reversal increase at 40% fibre loading. This was attributed to a better supportive load at that fibre content and a better interaction between fibre and matrix. Furthermore, the result also corroborates with the one obtained for the tensile modulus at same fibre loading. The best tensile strength and tensile modulus obtained was 32.43MPa;642.61MPa and 30.01MPa;636.73MPa for 0.25mm and 0.5mm fibre length respectively. Increase in fibre length did not show any significant improvement in tensile strength which may have been coursed by fibre attrition. It is possible to achieve improved mechanical properties if the fibres are given some kind of treatment.
This article presents the thermal degradation behavior of hybridized kenaf (bast)/pineapple leaf ... more This article presents the thermal degradation behavior of hybridized kenaf (bast)/pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites by thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses (TG/DTG) with respect to the proportions of fiber in the composite, variation in fiber loading and fiber length. It was observed that the thermal decomposition of all the samples had taken place within the scheduled temperature range of 35-615°C. For hybrid composites prepared at 40% fiber loading, the initial peak between 236.9 and 331°C corresponds to a mass loss of between 23 and 26%, and expectedly, PALF composite and 1:1 hybrid composite have the highest mass lost at this point. Main decomposition temperature as revealed from DTG curves occurred around 467°C for all except composite prepared with 0.75 and 2 mm fiber length. The mass loss at this temperature was between 64.4 and 73.7%. However, at 464.87°C, around 98% of neat HDPE had already degraded. Decomposition temperature of other composites was a little higher than the temperature at which HDPE concluded decomposition. Kenaf composite on its own showed initial thermal resistance, but above 240°C, a sharp increase in decomposition occurred with temperature. Interestingly, hybridization took care of this. Kenaf and PALF composite have shown weaker thermal stability compared to neat HDPE at lower temperatures. The introduction of more fiber into the matrix at onset caused the thermal stability of the hybridized composite to decrease. This reduction in thermal stability of the hybrid with increase in fiber loading became obvious after the dehydration process. Decomposition of hybrid composite is directly proportional to increase in fiber loading. However, at 385°C, where neat HDPE started decomposing, the percentage degradation of the hybrid showed inverse proportionality with increase in fiber loading. As observed, the size of the lignin and hemicelluloses shoulders in DTG curves deepen with increase in fiber loading, an indication of increased presence with increase in fiber loading.
International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization, 2013
This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphol... more This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphological properties of epoxy matrix. Carbon black-filled epoxy composites were obtained by mixing the desired amount of carbon black from bamboo stem (BS-CB), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB-CB), and coconut shell (CNS-CB) with the epoxy resin. Tensile and electrical properties of carbon black from three different sources (BS-CB, EFB-CB, and CNS-CB) used to fill epoxy composite with 5% filler loading were measured and the results indicated improvement in tensile and electrical properties. The diffraction patterns of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated nonlinear crystalline amorphous structure of the CB.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2014
Hybrid composites offer a combination of advantages of constituent components to produce a materi... more Hybrid composites offer a combination of advantages of constituent components to produce a material with determined properties. In the present work, woven hybrid composite was prepared by hand lay-up method in laminate configuration. Kevlar/kenaf hybrid composites were fabricated with total fibre content of 30% and the ratio of Kevlar/kenaf varies in weight fraction of 78/22, 60/40, 50/50, 26/74, and 32/68, respectively. The Kevlar/epoxy and kenaf/epoxy were also prepared for comparison. The mechanical properties of hybrid, kenaf/epoxy, and Kevlar/epoxy composites were tested. Morphological properties of tensile fracture surface of hybrid composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Results have established that the mechanical properties of kenaf-Kevlar hybrid composites are a function of fibre content. The hybrid composites with Kevlar/kenaf (78/22) ratio exhibited better mechanical properties compared to other hybrid composites. This result indicates the potential of Kevlar-kenaf hybrid composite for impact applications.
This work provides variation in mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact streng... more This work provides variation in mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength of hybridized kenaf and pineapple leaf fibre-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite. Two or more natural fibres are hybridized to provide an effective means of designing materials for various service requirements. The composite of kenaf/pineapple leaf fibre high-density polyethylene-based hybrid composite with different weight proportion of fibres were prepared. Total overall fibre loading in the composite was kept at 40%. The hybrid composites prepared were subjected to water immersion for 14 days to see how this concept can affect water uptake. At equal percentage ratio of the fibres, hybridization effect was optimized for tensile and flexural test; however, K6P4 gave the optimum impact strength while K3P7 resulted in the least overall water uptake. Strength and modulus values increased with increase in percentage of pineapple leaf fibre in the composite and the higher aspect ratio of kenaf helped in the dispersion of matrix in the composite. Favorable balance between the inherent advantages and disadvantages of these two fibres complemented each other. While pineapple leaf fibre helped the composite in tensile and flexural properties, kenaf provided impact strength and in reduction of water uptake. Dependence of modulus on the percentage of cellulose in natural fibres was clear. Kenaf and pineapple leaf fibre offered tremendous potential for hybridization. SEM was used to describe this interesting phenomenon.
In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyd... more In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin using high pressure vacuum chamber. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was performed under 3 bar pressure and cured in an oven at 150 C for 2 h. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was carried out at different time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) to obtain different density lumber and compared with microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood. The physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber, impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood were studied. In general, the impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber obtained better physical properties than microwave dried oil palm trunk core lumber but slightly lower than rubberwood. The thermal stability of oil palm trunk core lumber was analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis and it shows that rubberwood exhibited better thermal stability than impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber.
... Page 11. 39 [7] AM Yaacob, SM Sapuan, M. Ahmad and KZM Dahlan, The mechanical properties of p... more ... Page 11. 39 [7] AM Yaacob, SM Sapuan, M. Ahmad and KZM Dahlan, The mechanical properties of polypropylene/glass fibre composite prepared using different sample preparation methods, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 31 (2004) 233-241. [8] SSS Imihezri. ...
This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphol... more This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphological properties of epoxy matrix. Carbon black-filled epoxy composites were obtained by mixing the desired amount of carbon black from bamboo stem (BS-CB), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB-CB), and coconut shell (CNS-CB) with the epoxy resin. Tensile and electrical properties of carbon black from three different sources (BS-CB, EFB-CB, and CNS-CB) used to fill epoxy composite with 5% filler loading were measured and the results indicated improvement in tensile and electrical properties. The diffraction patterns of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated nonlinear crystalline amorphous structure of the CB.
The thermal behaviour of banana pseudo-stem (BPS) filled unplastisized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) ... more The thermal behaviour of banana pseudo-stem (BPS) filled unplastisized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) composites was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of fiber loading and resin modification on the thermal stability of the composites were evaluated. Resin modifications were carried out by acrylic to improve the fiber-matrix adhesion. From the study, the thermal stability of the composites was found to be higher than that of BPS fiber and the UPVC matrix. It is shown that the incorporation of BPS filler decreases the thermal stability of BPS/UPVC composites for the case of non acrylic. The thermal stability of BPS/UPVC composite with acrylic is found to be higher compared to BPS/UPVC composite without acrylic.
In evaluating thermoplastics for their effective performance during processing, rheology properti... more In evaluating thermoplastics for their effective performance during processing, rheology properties are very useful. Similarly, in designing processing apparatus, knowledge of rheological behavior of composite melt is critical. In this study, melt flow and viscosity behavior of polypropylene/kenaf fibre composite was investigated using a single-screw extruder. Subsequently, flow behavior of the compounded formulation were evaluated by comparing the melt flow index, flow curve and viscosity curve of the PP and that of the composites at 190 o C processing temperature and varying the fibre size. There appears to be a positive linear increase of the apparent shear stress with increase in the apparent shear rate and, as expected, viscosity values for the composite samples are much higher than the PP especially at larger fibre size. The additional of kenaf fibre in composite reduces the MFI value basically because of the hindrances in the plastic flow of the polymer. In addition the increase in viscosity with increase in fibre loading might contributed to the high specific area of the fibre in the matrix thereby increasing the shear stress in the composite. Moreover loading of polymer system with fibre tends to disturb or disorganize the normal free movement of the polymer and certainly hindered the mobility chain segments in flow.
In a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction of our environment, so man... more In a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction of our environment, so many research work has been conducted and still ongoing as to the possibility of using natural fibres that are wholly degradable in combination with biodegradable thermoplastic materials. This has shown significant result so far and this effort needs to be further consolidated so that our environment can be safe and saved from destruction. It is for this reason that this paper is geared through reviewing studied and published results and brings out converging problems associated with biodegradable composite and partially degradable ones so that these associated problems can be tackled in further research. This review however will focus on Kenaf; a very important natural fibre with robust mechanical properties. Good number of journal papers have been reviewed here that touch on cultivation of kenaf and its consequent effect, chemical treatment of natural fibres, matrix combinations, processing techniques, environmental effects on composite, critical fibre length, some works done on Malaysian cultivated kenaf and use of coupling agents to improve linkages between fibre and polymeric matrixes. Most of the studies so far discussed tend to arrive at the problem of wettability of the composites which inhibits further increase in fibre loading and consequent fibre pull-out. Various areas of further study have been highlighted to tackle the aforementioned problems in composite production.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2011
Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiv... more Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiving encouraging attention because it offers a range of properties that may be difficult to obtain with a single kind of reinforcement. In this study, tensile, flexural, and impact properties of hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite were studied. Sheets from which tensile, flexural, and impact specimens were cut out were produced from the compression molding of composite pellets and subsequently conditioned in an oven for 21 h at 103 C. The tensile and flexural specimens were tested according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D790 using a 5-kN INSTRON bluehill universal testing machine accordingly. While a notched Izoid impact test was conducted using a 1-J universal pendulum according to ASTM D256. All specimens were prepared at a fiber ratio of 1:1 kenaf:PALF and fiber lengths of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 2 mm; fiber loadings of between 10% and 70% were utilized for the study. About 0.25 mm fiber showed the best tensile and flexural properties with a linear increase in properties up to 60% fiber loading while impact strength showed better property with 0.75 and 2 mm fiber lengths. At 0.25 mm fiber length, tensile strength of 32.24 MPa, flexural strength and modulus of 34.01 MPa and 4114.11 MPa, respectively, were observed at 60% fiber loading. Moduli results of all the composites formulated generally obeyed the ROM. SEM was used to examine the surface of composites produced. Tensile and impact strengths result showed inverse proportionality while flexural strength of the composite generally adhered to the ROM. However, a positive effect was observed in the case of composite's impact strength in respect of increasing fiber length. Thus, reduction in some mechanical properties of the composite with respect to increasing fiber length is attributed more to fiber entanglement rather than attrition.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2011
Hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite was produced and characterized. Prepared hybrids ... more Hybridized kenaf/PALF-reinforced HDPE composite was produced and characterized. Prepared hybrids were irradiated at various doses of EBI and subsequently with 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations of vinyltri(2-methoxy ethoxy) silane and TMPTMA as cross-linking agents. The effects of EBI on the mechanical properties of treated and untreated composites were compared. Specimens without cross-linking agents were irradiated using a 2.0 MeV EB accelerator at dose range of 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kGy. Thereafter, 10 kGy was selected to irradiate specimens that were prepared with cross-linking agents. Hybrid without the addition of any cross-linking agent showed increase in tensile strength and modulus with increase in radiation dose. Flexural strength, however, showed decline at 80 and 100 kGy. Optimum impact strength was obtained in hybrid prepared without cross-linking agents and at only 10 kGy, while 20 kGy gave superior flexural modulus. Unlike in tensile strength, silane performed better as a cross-linking agent in flexural properties than TMPTMA. Additions of cross-linking agents had less significantly improved the tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid. It was clear that HDPE self-cross-linked by radiation, making silane and TMPTMA less effective. Fractured surfaces of the composites, examined by a scanning electron microscope showed good adhesion between fiber and matrix.
This work is aimed at achieving optimum processing parameters for Kenaf/PALF/HDPE. Processing par... more This work is aimed at achieving optimum processing parameters for Kenaf/PALF/HDPE. Processing parameters like temperature, speed of rotor and duration of composite mixing in an internal mixer were examined. Oven conditioned and unconditioned specimen were prepared and tested. The best tensile strength and tensile modulus were obtained at an optimum processing parameters of 190 o C, 40rpm, and 15min for temperature of processing, speed of rotor and duration of mixing respectively, while 190 o C, 40rpm and 20min gave the best flexural strength and 190 o C, 40rpm and 25min for flexural modulus. Conditioning of composite tends to reduce its tensile modulus while increasing its strength and flexural modulus. All samples were produced at only 10w%(mass) of fibre in the composite at 1:1 and less than 0.3mm fibre ratio and length respectively. Utilization of these parameters according to end requirement can help in achieving optimum mechanical properties on hybridized composites.
Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is f... more Hybridization, especially where only variant natural lignocelluloses are combined, is fast receiving encouraging attention because it offers range of properties that are quite difficult to obtain with a single kind of reinforcement. In this work, tensile strength and modulus of hybridized kenaf/PALF reinforced HDPE composite was examined. Pellets were produced form the mixture of the composite in an internal mixer at 190 o C, 40rpm and 25minutes for processing temperature, speed and duration of mixing respectively. The composite sheets with thickness of 1mm produced from pellets were prepared using compression moulding. Then the tensile specimen were prepared and tested using an INSTRON bluehill universal testing machine according to ASTM D638 requirements. All samples were prepared at 1:1 kenaf:PALF ratio; ≤0.25mm and ≤0.5mm fibre length; fiber loading of 10 to 40% were utilized. Linear relationship of tensile modulus was observed with about 26% reduction in tensile strength at 10% fibre loading that subsequently reduced but with a reversal increase at 40% fibre loading. This was attributed to a better supportive load at that fibre content and a better interaction between fibre and matrix. Furthermore, the result also corroborates with the one obtained for the tensile modulus at same fibre loading. The best tensile strength and tensile modulus obtained was 32.43MPa;642.61MPa and 30.01MPa;636.73MPa for 0.25mm and 0.5mm fibre length respectively. Increase in fibre length did not show any significant improvement in tensile strength which may have been coursed by fibre attrition. It is possible to achieve improved mechanical properties if the fibres are given some kind of treatment.
This article presents the thermal degradation behavior of hybridized kenaf (bast)/pineapple leaf ... more This article presents the thermal degradation behavior of hybridized kenaf (bast)/pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites by thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses (TG/DTG) with respect to the proportions of fiber in the composite, variation in fiber loading and fiber length. It was observed that the thermal decomposition of all the samples had taken place within the scheduled temperature range of 35-615°C. For hybrid composites prepared at 40% fiber loading, the initial peak between 236.9 and 331°C corresponds to a mass loss of between 23 and 26%, and expectedly, PALF composite and 1:1 hybrid composite have the highest mass lost at this point. Main decomposition temperature as revealed from DTG curves occurred around 467°C for all except composite prepared with 0.75 and 2 mm fiber length. The mass loss at this temperature was between 64.4 and 73.7%. However, at 464.87°C, around 98% of neat HDPE had already degraded. Decomposition temperature of other composites was a little higher than the temperature at which HDPE concluded decomposition. Kenaf composite on its own showed initial thermal resistance, but above 240°C, a sharp increase in decomposition occurred with temperature. Interestingly, hybridization took care of this. Kenaf and PALF composite have shown weaker thermal stability compared to neat HDPE at lower temperatures. The introduction of more fiber into the matrix at onset caused the thermal stability of the hybridized composite to decrease. This reduction in thermal stability of the hybrid with increase in fiber loading became obvious after the dehydration process. Decomposition of hybrid composite is directly proportional to increase in fiber loading. However, at 385°C, where neat HDPE started decomposing, the percentage degradation of the hybrid showed inverse proportionality with increase in fiber loading. As observed, the size of the lignin and hemicelluloses shoulders in DTG curves deepen with increase in fiber loading, an indication of increased presence with increase in fiber loading.
International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization, 2013
This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphol... more This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphological properties of epoxy matrix. Carbon black-filled epoxy composites were obtained by mixing the desired amount of carbon black from bamboo stem (BS-CB), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB-CB), and coconut shell (CNS-CB) with the epoxy resin. Tensile and electrical properties of carbon black from three different sources (BS-CB, EFB-CB, and CNS-CB) used to fill epoxy composite with 5% filler loading were measured and the results indicated improvement in tensile and electrical properties. The diffraction patterns of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated nonlinear crystalline amorphous structure of the CB.
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2014
Hybrid composites offer a combination of advantages of constituent components to produce a materi... more Hybrid composites offer a combination of advantages of constituent components to produce a material with determined properties. In the present work, woven hybrid composite was prepared by hand lay-up method in laminate configuration. Kevlar/kenaf hybrid composites were fabricated with total fibre content of 30% and the ratio of Kevlar/kenaf varies in weight fraction of 78/22, 60/40, 50/50, 26/74, and 32/68, respectively. The Kevlar/epoxy and kenaf/epoxy were also prepared for comparison. The mechanical properties of hybrid, kenaf/epoxy, and Kevlar/epoxy composites were tested. Morphological properties of tensile fracture surface of hybrid composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Results have established that the mechanical properties of kenaf-Kevlar hybrid composites are a function of fibre content. The hybrid composites with Kevlar/kenaf (78/22) ratio exhibited better mechanical properties compared to other hybrid composites. This result indicates the potential of Kevlar-kenaf hybrid composite for impact applications.
This work provides variation in mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact streng... more This work provides variation in mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strength of hybridized kenaf and pineapple leaf fibre-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite. Two or more natural fibres are hybridized to provide an effective means of designing materials for various service requirements. The composite of kenaf/pineapple leaf fibre high-density polyethylene-based hybrid composite with different weight proportion of fibres were prepared. Total overall fibre loading in the composite was kept at 40%. The hybrid composites prepared were subjected to water immersion for 14 days to see how this concept can affect water uptake. At equal percentage ratio of the fibres, hybridization effect was optimized for tensile and flexural test; however, K6P4 gave the optimum impact strength while K3P7 resulted in the least overall water uptake. Strength and modulus values increased with increase in percentage of pineapple leaf fibre in the composite and the higher aspect ratio of kenaf helped in the dispersion of matrix in the composite. Favorable balance between the inherent advantages and disadvantages of these two fibres complemented each other. While pineapple leaf fibre helped the composite in tensile and flexural properties, kenaf provided impact strength and in reduction of water uptake. Dependence of modulus on the percentage of cellulose in natural fibres was clear. Kenaf and pineapple leaf fibre offered tremendous potential for hybridization. SEM was used to describe this interesting phenomenon.
In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyd... more In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin using high pressure vacuum chamber. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was performed under 3 bar pressure and cured in an oven at 150 C for 2 h. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was carried out at different time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) to obtain different density lumber and compared with microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood. The physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber, impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood were studied. In general, the impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber obtained better physical properties than microwave dried oil palm trunk core lumber but slightly lower than rubberwood. The thermal stability of oil palm trunk core lumber was analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis and it shows that rubberwood exhibited better thermal stability than impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber.
... Page 11. 39 [7] AM Yaacob, SM Sapuan, M. Ahmad and KZM Dahlan, The mechanical properties of p... more ... Page 11. 39 [7] AM Yaacob, SM Sapuan, M. Ahmad and KZM Dahlan, The mechanical properties of polypropylene/glass fibre composite prepared using different sample preparation methods, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 31 (2004) 233-241. [8] SSS Imihezri. ...
This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphol... more This work investigates the effect of carbon black content on the tensile, electrical, and morphological properties of epoxy matrix. Carbon black-filled epoxy composites were obtained by mixing the desired amount of carbon black from bamboo stem (BS-CB), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB-CB), and coconut shell (CNS-CB) with the epoxy resin. Tensile and electrical properties of carbon black from three different sources (BS-CB, EFB-CB, and CNS-CB) used to fill epoxy composite with 5% filler loading were measured and the results indicated improvement in tensile and electrical properties. The diffraction patterns of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated nonlinear crystalline amorphous structure of the CB.
The thermal behaviour of banana pseudo-stem (BPS) filled unplastisized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) ... more The thermal behaviour of banana pseudo-stem (BPS) filled unplastisized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) composites was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of fiber loading and resin modification on the thermal stability of the composites were evaluated. Resin modifications were carried out by acrylic to improve the fiber-matrix adhesion. From the study, the thermal stability of the composites was found to be higher than that of BPS fiber and the UPVC matrix. It is shown that the incorporation of BPS filler decreases the thermal stability of BPS/UPVC composites for the case of non acrylic. The thermal stability of BPS/UPVC composite with acrylic is found to be higher compared to BPS/UPVC composite without acrylic.
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