Papers by Author: Supreyak Kumfu

Abstract: This research presented the studies on the production and properties of thermal insulation produced from durian peel fiber and natural rubber latex. The thermal insulation were made by spray the pre-treated natural rubber latex onto durian peel fiber in the fiber : binder ratios of 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 to form squared thermal insulation with the size of 20 cm and 1.5 cm thickness. Thermal conductivity measured in accordance with American Society for Testing Materials standard was found to be 0.026 W /m K with density of 143 kg m^-3 which closed to the commercial insulator. The success of this study shown that the thermal insulation made from durian peel fiber and natural rubber latex exhibited a good thermal insulation and extremely potential to instead of the synthesis fibrous insulator.

Abstract: The present studies are on the production and properties of particle boards produced from the giant sensitive plant using epoxy resin and urea formaldehyde as binder phases. The boards were made by applying pressure on the mixture of matrix and binder phases in the ratio of 1:2, 1:2.5 and 1:3 to form squared particle boards with the size of 20 cm and 0.6 cm thickness. The physical and mechanical properties of the samples such as density, bending test, tensile test and impact test were investigated. The results showed that the epoxy binder phase promote a good particle boards. The successfully of this study shown epoxy resin was feasibility to instead of the synthesis particle boards.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the thermal property of thermal insulation board produced from admixtures of pineapple leaf fiber and natural rubber latex at different proportion level and the thermal property was evaluated based on the American Society for Testing Materials standard. Thermal insulation boards were fabricated using a hot pressing technique at a temperature of 150 °C under a pressure of 100 kg/cm² for 5 min to form a squared thermal insulation with the size of 35 cm and 0.9 cm thickness. The thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation was 0.057 W /m K with density of 338 kg/m³. The success of this study primarily proclaims a high feasibility of producing thermal insulation from pineapple leaf fiber and natural rubber latex as a substitute for synthetic fiber.

Abstract: An experimental investigation was carried out to study the fabrication of double layers of aramid fiber/alumina/epoxy resin laminate composites using low-pressure technique. To obtain the sample with high wear resistance property, the micron size of alumina particles were added into epoxy resin using the ultrasonic processor. The physical and mechanical properties such as density, hardness, impact test, wear resistance and tensile strength of the composites samples were investigated. Furthermore, microstructures of specimens were also examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the results, it was found that the mechanical properties of double layers laminate composites of aramid fiber/alumina/epoxy resin could improve by using the low-pressure technique.

Abstract: Aramid/Al2O3/epoxy resin laminated composites were fabricated using ultrasonic mixing and casting technique. This novo material could be exhibited to the ideal mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, hardness, flexural strength and lightweight which may be used to replace metal parts in vehicles. Moreover, Al2O3 powder was mixed to epoxy resin to improve the scratch resistance. To improve the bending force and interaction between Al2O3 powder phase and epoxy resin phase, the ultrasonic mixing was used for fabricating these laminate composites. The physicals and mechanical properties such as density, hardness, impact test, wear resistance and tensile strength of the composites samples were investigated. It was found that the amounts of percent by volume of the Al2O3 have affected the properties of the laminated composites. Furthermore, microstructures of specimens were also investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the results, SEM images showed good distribution and adhesion between reinforced phase and epoxy resin matrix phase.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/epoxy resin composites were prepared by using a sonication technique. Microstructure, mechanical and physical properties such as hardness, wear resistance, tensile strength and density of the composite samples were examined. The tensile strength of the 0.6 vol.% CNTs/epoxy resin composites compared with the monolithic epoxy resin increased 183%. The hardness and wear resistance were maximum at 0.8 vol.% CNTs. Moreover, SEM image of the composites indicated that there is good adhesion between CNTs and the epoxy resin.