Papers by Keyword: Green Composite

Abstract: The construction industry remains a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, primarily due to its high consumption of non-renewable mineral resources and energy-intensive materials. In response to the growing need for sustainable alternatives, this study focuses on valorizing lignocellulosic biomass waste specifically Solid Olive Waste (SOW), a byproduct of olive oil production abundant in Mediterranean countries as a partial replacement for mineral aggregates in concrete. The main objective is to develop and evaluate an Innovative Solid Olive Waste Composite (ISOWC) as an eco-friendly material suitable for construction sector. The incorporation of SOW was optimized using the Talbot–Fuller–Thompson (T-F-T) semi-empirical method, which enabled the determination of ideal incorporation rates (10%, 20%, and 30% by aggregate volume) based on maximum packing density. Composite formulations were developed using the volumetric mix design method, incorporating both raw and water-saturated SOW. Comparative tests demonstrated that saturated SOW significantly improved the composite’s compressive strength and thermal conductivity, particularly as the SOW content increased. To further assess performance, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on ISOWC with 30% saturated SOW at varying cement dosages (200–350 kg/m³). The formulation with 200 kg/m³ cement achieved a compressive strength of approximately 6 MPa and thermal conductivity of 0.72 W/mK, meeting the criteria for insulating applications such as blocks and cladding panels. These results highlight the promising potential of ISOWC and support further investigation into the use of Solid Olive Waste as a full replacement for gravel in the development of eco-efficient, sand-based concretes.

Abstract: Ramie fibers as a natural fiber are frequently utilized in fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite preparation due to their remarkable mechanical properties, renewable, and sustainable materials. This research investigated the effect of ramie fiber addition at various compositions on the tensile and impact properties of ramie fiber-reinforced waste polypropylene composites (RFRWPC). Furthermore, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the potential of ramie fiber as a green reinforcement. In this research, ramie fiber was treated in a 10% NaOH solution at 100 °C for two hours. The treated ramie fiber with a volume fraction of 5, 10, and 15% was blended with waste polypropylene using an extruder at 180 °C to produce an RFRWPC pellet. The pellet obtained was used to prepare tensile and impact tests through an injection molding machine at 195 °C. The tensile and impact properties of RFRWPC were measured according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D256, respectively. The results showed that the polypropylene composite reinforced with 10% ramie fiber has a tensile strength 4.61% higher than glass fiber reinforced waste polypropylene composite (GFRWPC). RFRWPC with equivalent reinforcement percentages to commercial GFRWPC have nearly identical impact strength. The research findings demonstrated the excellent potential of ramie fiber as a green reinforcement as a substitute for glass fiber in enhancing the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites.

Abstract: This study was examined the moisture absorption property of green composite using surface treated wood flour for sustainable development goals (SDGs) of product. Constituent materials of green composite were Japanese cedar flour and poly (lactic acid). The lumber of Japanese cedar was cut by hand saw for wood flour. The surface treatment of wood flour was conducted by stone mill. The number of cycle was 400 cycles. The maximum addition amount of wood flour was 20wt%. Molding method of green composite was vacuum compressive method. The moisture absorption test of green composite was conducted by using KNO₃ solution. The maximum test time was four weeks (672 hours). The environmental temperature was room temperature. The humidity was 93%. As a result, following conclusions were obtained. In case of test time 672 hours, coefficient of moisture absorptions of green composites using non and surface treated wood flour 1.0wt.% were similar to that of poly (lactic acid). But, the coefficient of moisture absorption of green composite using surface treated Japanese cedar flour 20wt.% was larger than that of green composite using non-treated Japanese cedar flour 20wt.%. The water penetration probably occurred at interface between Japanese cedar flour and matrix. Therefore, the moisture absorption property of green composite using surface treated Japanese cedar flour 20wt% was affected by water penetration at interface between Japanese cedar flour and matrix.

Abstract: In this study, fatigue property of green composite using unidirectional jute fiber sliver and poly (lactic acid) resin was investigated for a long term safety of sustainable structural materials. The fiber volume fraction of green composite was about10%. The green composite plate was fabricated by using jute fiber sliver/poly (lactic acid) resin prepreg. The molding method was vacuum compression molding method. The quasi-static tensile and fatigue tests of green composites were conducted under room temperature. The maximum number of cycle to failure was 10⁶ cycles. Fracture surfaces of green composites were observed after fatigue and static tensile tests. Following conclusions were obtained. The fatigue strength of green composite decreased with an increase of number of cycle. The fatigue strength at 10⁵ cycles of green composite was 50% of the tensile strength. From surface observation, the fiber pull-out in fracture surface of green composite were not found after quasi-static tensile and fatigue tests. Therefore, fatigue property of green composite using low addition amount of jute fiber sliver might be dominated by fatigue property of poly (lactic acid) resin.

Abstract: In recent decades, polymer composites have gained significant interests within the research community due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. Its properties, such as low cost, lightweight, corrosion resistance, and impact resistance, make it desirable for both household and industrial applications. However, the reliability of the composite model with density influence is still challenging. In this study, experiments were carried out using epoxy systems of varying densities to fabricate oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) carbon nanoparticle composites to investigate the influence of matrix density on its Weibull modulus. It is found that the increase in matrix density increases the nanocomposite reliability. A Weibull modulus of 9.5, 82.2 and 183.4 were obtained for low, medium and high matrix density nanocomposites, respectively. Such findings would facilitate the development of particle-reinforced composites.

Abstract: Numerous literatures have suggested that the use of natural fiber as filler can improve the mechanical properties of a polymer composite. Oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers (OPEFB) are no exception and have shown to exhibit good mechanical properties, with the potential to produce environmentally friendlier composites. In this study, the tensile strengths and morphologies of micro OPEFB filled composites with varying loadings (0.3125 wt% to 10 wt%) were investigated. It was found that increasing content of OPEFB reduces the translucency of the composite almost linearly. It was also revealed that the addition of 0.3125 wt% to 2.5 wt% has a reinforcing effect, observing improvement up to 17.4% compared to its neat condition. Such findings would facilitate the development of an effective OPEFB reinforced polymeric nanocomposite.

Abstract: In this study, effect of wood flour addition on warm/cool feeling of green composite using wood flour and poly(lactic acid) was investigated for comfortability of interior product. Additive amounts of wood flour were 10 – 40 wt.%. Measurement of initial maximum values of heat flux of green composite using wood flour was conducted under constant temperature and humidity chamber. Surface of green composite using wood flour was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Following conclusions were obtained. The initial maximum value of heat flux of green composite decreased with an increase of wood flour additive amount until 20 wt.%. But, initial maximum value of heat flux of green composite at more than wood flour additive amount 30 wt.% almost did not change. From SEM observation, the appearance void area on surface of green composite at wood flour additive amount 20 wt.% was larger than that of green composite at wood flour additive amount 10 wt.%. Therefore, initial maximum value of heat flux of green composite was mainly affected because of increase of void area and wood flour until wood flour additive amount 20 wt.%.

Abstract: Bamboo is a natural material with a very light density compared to steel. The bamboo can replace steel to reinforce concrete or composite materials in construction. In this study, the bamboo was treated by chemical process through two steps: (1) NaOH and Na₂SO₃ mixture, (2) H₂O₂ solution. The results showed that the color of the extract and the lignin content were significantly influenced by the extraction time and the concentration of chemicals used. Similarly, in terms of the mechanical properties of the epoxy-based green composite material, there was an improvement on the values of flexural and compressive strength for the composite reinforced the treated bamboo. Research results show the potential applications of bamboo to gradually replace fiberglass in green structures, safe for humans and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: During the composite’s fabrication process, one of the most common defect occurs is void. Numerous literatures have suggested that the presence of void negatively affect its mechanical properties and effective degassing process is one the solutions for such issue. In this study, experiments were carried out using neat E132 epoxy to investigate the effects of different degassing process (hot water, ultrasonic bath, and vacuum) on its tensile strength. The duration of its process was carried out from 5 – 9 minutes for hot water and ultrasonic bath where vacuum process was extended until 10 minutes to observed limiting behavior. It is found that the vacuum degassing method is the most effective. Vacuum degassing process displayed the least formation of bubble and micro voids even for 10 minutes. It is also revealed that vacuum degassing process resulted the highest average tensile strength at 48.8MPa. Such findings would facilitate the well bonded effective nanocomposite fabrication process.

Abstract: The depletion crude oil has urged many researchers to find a suitable material to replace the current synthetic polymer products. Furthermore the shortage of landfill and ingestion of plastic by animals has to be taken in consideration in finding a material that can be easily biodegraded by enzyme or bacteria. In this study both fibre and matrix are from plant fibre, which makes the product highly compostable after the intended life usage. The fibre surface is modified with various alkaline concentrations before mixing with matrix through extrusion technique. The product of the extrusion is pelletized and hot compressed into specimen size according to ASTM. The specimen was tested for mechanical properties and the result shows the alkaline concentration affects the strength of the composite.