scholarly journals Effects of High-Temperature Exposure on the Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Composites

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabilah Afiqah Mohd Radzuan ◽  
Dulina Tholibon ◽  
Abu Bakar Sulong ◽  
Norhamidi Muhamad ◽  
Che Hassan Che Haron
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Automotive Parts ◽  
Kenaf Composites ◽  
Temperature Exposure ◽  
Kenaf Fibers

Automotive parts, including dashboards and trunk covers, are now fabricated through a compression-molding process in order to produce lightweight products and optimize fuel consumption. However, their mechanical strength is not compromised to avoid safety issues. Therefore, this study investigates kenaf-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites using a simple combing approach to unidirectionally align kenaf fibers at 0°. The kenaf composite was found to withstand a maximal temperature of 120 °C. The tensile and flexural strengths of the aligned kenaf composites (50 and 90 MPa, respectively) were three times higher than those of the commercialized Product T (between 39 and 30.5 MPa, respectively) at a temperature range of 90 to 120 °C. These findings clearly showed that the mechanical properties of aligned kenaf fibers fabricated through the combing technique were able to withstand high operating temperatures (120 °C), and could be used as an alternative to other commercial natural-fiber products.

scholarly journals Effects of Waste Expanded Polypropylene as Recycled Matrix on the Flexural, Impact, and Heat Deflection Temperature Properties of Kenaf Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2578
Author(s):  
Junghoon Kim ◽  
Donghwan Cho
Keyword(s):  
Impact Strength ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Fiber Composites ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Izod Impact ◽  
Pp Composites ◽  
Heat Deflection Temperature ◽  
Kenaf Fibers

Waste Expanded polypropylene (EPP) was utilized as recycled matrix for kenaf fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites produced using chopped kenaf fibers and crushed EPP waste. The flexural properties, impact strength, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of kenaf fiber/PP composites were highly enhanced by using waste EPP, compared to those by using virgin PP. The flexural modulus and strength of the composites with waste EPP were 98% and 55% higher than those with virgin PP at the same kenaf contents, respectively. The Izod impact strength and HDT were 31% and 12% higher with waste EPP than with virgin PP, respectively. The present study indicates that waste EPP would be feasible as recycled matrix for replacing conventional PP matrix in natural fiber composites.

Effect of Flame Retardant on Mechanical Properties and Flammability of Sisal/PP Composites

2008 ◽  
Vol 47-50 ◽  
pp. 403-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitinat Suppakarn ◽  
Kasama Jarukumjorn ◽  
Saowapa Tananimit
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Flame Retardant ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Sisal Fiber ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer ◽  
Automotive Parts ◽  
Housing Materials

Due to environmental reasons and their acceptable mechanical properties, natural fiber based polymer composites have been increasingly used in various applications, e.g. housing materials, automotive parts. However, their low thermal resistance and fire behavior limit the use of these materials. In this work, magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), as a flame retardant, was incorporated into sisal/polypropylene composites. Ratio of sisal fiber to Mg(OH)2 in each composite sample was varied. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was also used to improve the interface of polypropylene and fillers. Flammability and thermal behavior of the composites were examined using a horizontal burning test and thermo gravimetric analyzer, respectively. Morphology and mechanical properties of the composites were also investigated.

Experimental study on mechanical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with a hybrid graphene/PP-g-MA/kenaf fiber by response surface methodology

2021 ◽  
pp. 009524432110153
Author(s):  
Jaber Mirzaei ◽  
Abdolhossein Fereidoon ◽  
Ahmad Ghasemi-Ghalebahman
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Response Surface Methodology ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Response Surface ◽  
Graphene Nanosheets ◽  
Hot Press ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Polypropylene Nanocomposites ◽  
Kenaf Fibers ◽  
Internal Mixer

In this study, the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanosheets, kenaf fiber, and polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used as the experimental design. The blends fabricated in three levels of parameters include 0, 0.75, and 1.5 wt% graphene nanosheets, 0, 7.5, and 15 wt% kenaf fiber, and 0, 3, and 6 wt% PP-g-MA, prepared by an internal mixer and a hot press machine. The fiber length was 5 mm and was being constant for all samples. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted to determine the blend properties. The purpose of this research is to achieve the highest mechanical properties of the considered nanocomposite blend. The addition of graphene nanosheets to 1 wt% increased the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths by 16%, 24%, and 19%, respectively, and an addition up to 1.5 wt% reduced them. With further addition of graphene nanosheets until 1.5 wt%, the elastic modulus was increased by 70%. Adding the kenaf fiber up to 15 wt% increased the elastic modulus, tensile, flexural, and impact strength by 24%, 84%, 18%, and 11%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA has increased the adhesion, dispersion and compatibility of graphene nanosheets and kenaf fibers with matrix. With 6 wt% PP-g-MA, the tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased by 18% and 75%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA to 5 wt% increased the flexural and impact strengths by 10% and 5%, respectively. From the entire experimental data, the optimum values for elastic modulus, as well as, tensile, flexural, and impact strengths in the blends were obtained to be 4 GPa, 33.7896 MPa, 57.6306 MPa, and 100.1421 J/m, respectively. Finally, samples were studied by FE-SEM to check the dispersion of graphene nanosheets, PP-g-MA and kenaf fibers in the polymeric matrix.

scholarly journals Influence of layering pattern of modified kenaf fiber on thermomechanical properties of epoxy composites

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62
Author(s):  
AR Mohammed ◽  
MS Nurul Atiqah ◽  
Deepu A Gopakumar ◽  
MR Fazita ◽  
Samsul Rizal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Chemical Modification ◽  
Epoxy Matrix ◽  
Epoxy Composites ◽  
Woven Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Kenaf Fibers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Woven Kenaf

Natural fiber-reinforced composites gained considerable interest in the scientific community due to their eco-friendly nature, cost-effective, and excellent mechanical properties. Here, we reported a chemical modification of kenaf fiber using propionic anhydride to enhance the compatibility with the epoxy matrix. The incorporation of the modified woven and nonwoven kenaf fibers into the epoxy matrix resulted in the improvement of the thermal and mechanical properties of the composite. The thermal stability of the epoxy composites was enhanced from 403°C to 677°C by incorporating modified woven kenaf fibers into the epoxy matrix. The modified and unmodified woven kenaf fiber-reinforced epoxy composites had a tensile strength of 64.11 and 58.82 MPa, respectively. The modified woven composites had highest flexural strength, which was 89.4 MPa, whereas, for unmodified composites, it was 86.8 MPa. The modified woven fiber-reinforced epoxy composites showed the highest value of flexural modulus, which was 6.0 GPa compared to unmodified woven composites (5.51 GPa). The impact strength of the epoxy composites was enhanced to 9.43 kJ m−2 by the incarnation of modified woven kenaf fibers into epoxy matrix. This study will be an effective platform to design the chemical modification strategy on natural fibers for enhancing the compatibility toward the hydrophobic polymer matrices.

scholarly journals Water Absorption and Hygrothermal Aging Behavior of Wood-Polypropylene Composites

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xiaomin Guo ◽  
Defang Zhao ◽  
Liu Liu ◽  
Ruiyun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Water Absorption ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Glass Fibers ◽  
Diffusion Constant ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Wood Powder ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Effect Of Water ◽  
Composite Samples

Environmentally sound composites reinforced with natural fibers or particles interest many researchers and engineers due to their great potential to substitute the traditional composites reinforced with glass fibers. However, the sensitivity of natural fiber-reinforced composites to water has limited their applications. In this paper, wood powder-reinforced polypropylene composites (WPCs) with various wood content were prepared and subjected to water absorption tests to study the water absorption procedure and the effect of water absorbed in the specimens on the mechanical properties. Water soaking tests were carried out by immersion of composite specimens in a container of distilled water maintained at three different temperatures, 23, 60 and 80 °C. The results showed that the moisture absorption content was related to wood powder percentage and they had a positive relationship. The transfer process of water molecules in the sample was found to follow the Fickian model and the diffusion constant increased with elevated water temperature. In addition, tensile and bending tests of both dry and wet composite samples were conducted and the results indicated that water absorbed in composite specimens degraded their mechanical properties. The tensile strength and modulus of the composites reinforced with 15, 30, 45 wt % wood powder decreased by 5.79%, 17.2%, 32.06% and 25.31%, 33.6%, 47.3% respectively, compared with their corresponding dry specimens. The flexural strength and modulus of the composite samples exhibited a similar result. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) also confirmed that the detrimental effect of water molecules on the composite specimens.

Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Sisal/Glass Fiber-Polypropylene Composites

2008 ◽  
Vol 47-50 ◽  
pp. 486-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasama Jarukumjorn ◽  
Nitinat Suppakarn ◽  
Jongrak Kluengsamrong
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Hybrid Composites ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Specific Strength ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites became more attractive due to their light weight, high specific strength, biodegradability. However, some limitations e.g. low modulus, poor moisture resistance were reported. The mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composites can be improved by hybridization with synthetic fibers such as glass fiber. In this research, mechanical properties of short sisal-PP composites and short sisal/glass fiber hybrid composites were studied. Polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the compatibility between the fibers and polypropylene. Effect of weight ratio of sisal and glass fiber at 30 % by weight on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. Morphology of fracture surface of each composite was also observed.

Mechanical properties and biodegradability of enzyme-retted kenaf fiber composites

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 1782-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Sun Jung ◽  
Kyung Hun Song ◽  
Seong Hun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Adhesion Force ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Fiber Composites ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Modified Starch ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Poly Ethylene ◽  
Kenaf Fibers ◽  
Aerobic Biodegradability

The mechanical properties and biodegradability of retted kenaf and modified starch composites fabricated by adding enzyme-retted kenaf as a filler and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(ethylene glycol), or glycerol as a plasticizer are compared with those of the NaOH-retted counterparts fabricated under identical conditions. In the case of enzyme retting, the composite treated with the PVA plasticizer was deemed the most appropriate for achieving optimal tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. Further, the retting treatment, the length of the kenaf fiber, the type of treatment (single- or double-sided), and the adhesion force at the interface significantly affect the mechanical properties of the composites. According to the aerobic biodegradability assessment in natural reclamation conditions, the modified starch composite fabricated using 50-mm-long enzyme-retted kenaf fibers as the filler and double-side treated with PVA plasticizer showed a biodegradation rate of 80% or higher after 80 days.

scholarly journals Mechanical properties of kenaf fibrous pulverized fuel ash concrete

2018 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 05007
Author(s):  
Norazura Mizal Azzmi ◽  
Jamaludin Mohamad Yatim ◽  
Hazlan Abdul Hamid ◽  
Azmahani Abdul Aziz ◽  
Adole Michael Adole
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Coal Ash ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Short Fiber ◽  
Pozzolanic Reaction ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Fuel Ash ◽  
Pulverized Fuel

The main objective of the experimental work is to identify the mechanical properties of Kenaf Fiber incorporate with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) in the mix proportions of concrete. Kenaf Fibrous Concrete (KFC) and Kenaf Fibrous Pulverised Fuel Ash Concrete (KFPC) will be measured on physical and mechanical properties in order to investigate the suitability of this natural fiber as a composite material. A comparison of properties between these two composites will determine the density, workability, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of the concrete. Eight different mixes with varying percentage of Kenaf fiber were prepared with 30N/mm2 strength at 28days ,56 days and 90 days. Short fiber with 25mm and 50mm length were randomly distribute in composite to enhance the tensile and durability. PFA was obtained by the process of burning in the Power Station Coal Ash at Tanjung Bin, Johor. The unburning powder from the process is called as a PFA generally suitable for cement replacement in the concrete mix. The pozzolanic reaction will improve the adhesion of cement gel, hence increased the properties of concrete in a long-term strength development. The result shows that the inclusion of Kenaf fiber improve tensile strength of composite, furthermore the 25% PFA mix increase the durability of concrete.

Characterization of polypropylene composites reinforced with flax fibers treated by mechanical and alkali methods

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Hu ◽  
Minh-Tan Ton-That ◽  
Johanne Denault ◽  
Christian Belanger
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Alkaline Treatment ◽  
Thermal And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Flax Fibers ◽  
Fiber Separation ◽  
As Stress

AbstractFlax is a type of natural fiber widely used as reinforcing materials for polymer composites. The commercially available flax fibers in Canada consist of a significant amount of shive and other impurities, which could act as stress concentration regions to negatively affect the mechanical property of composites. In this study, the shive was manually removed from the commercial flax fibers by screening and combing to obtain different shive contents from 0 to 30 wt%. By contrast, the obtained flax fibers were further treated with alkaline solution. The fibers obtained from mechanical and alkali treatment were compared on their thermal and mechanical properties. As expected, it was found that the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the flax reinforced polypropylene composites increased significantly with the removal of the shive content. However, the alkali treatment on flax fiber did not further improve the composites properties. The possible reason was that the proper mechanical treatment (screening and combing) prior to alkaline treatment effectively loosened the fiber bundles for better single fiber separation in matrix and significantly removed the impurities, thus the effect of alkaline treatment did not become obvious.

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