Papers by Keyword: Natural Fibre

Abstract: Awareness on implementing sustainable construction materials has risen significantly leading to increased renewable materials used commercially. Kenaf fibers are potentially used as composite reinforcements and combined with epoxy polymer to produce an advanced engineering material that may offer superior specific stiffness (and strength) to its density. Other advantages include renewability, easy during fabrication handling stage and relatively cheaper than commercial fibers counterparts. Current project aims to investigate mechanical strength of woven fabric kenaf composites coupons with different stacking orientations. Testing series under investigation includes different lay-up types with variation of plate thickness. Mechanical testing is conducted referred to relevant code of practice and associated damage observations during testing will be recorded. It is suggested that these materials are potential to provide an alternative reinforcing materials in composite fabrications and enhanced its applicability to a greater extent in local sector.

Abstract: Every year, the sago processing industry in Sarawak-Mukah had generated huge amount of sago waste after the milling process and scientists have employ the waste into composite material. The fabrication and testing method are based on the Japanese A5908 Industrial Standard. Single-layer particleboards with targeted density of 600kg/m³ were produced from different sizes of sago particles. The mechanical properties of sago waste were investigated to study the feasibility of using this sample as a raw material in particleboard manufacturing. The results of the test demonstrate that samples with different sizes of particles have great influence on the mechanical properties such as Young’s Modulus, Tensile Strength and Impact Strength. The findings show that the performance of the board is affected by the different sizes of sago particles used in the experiment and had proved that sago plants can be used as an alternative raw material in the particleboard manufacturing industry.

Abstract: In this paper, three type of natural-fibre reinforced polyethylene were produced. They are the coconut coir reinforced polyethylene (RPCC), kenaf reinforced polyethylene (RPKC) and bamboo reinforced polyethylene (RPBC). Water absorption test, thickness swelling test and tensile test of the different natural fibre composites were carried-out. The mass of HDPE and natural fibre were based on percentage of filler loading. Each board types were produced with two fibre ratios which are at fourty percent and thirty percent. The preparation of the test sample is according to ASTM D1037 and ASTM D638. The tensile modulus of elasticity, tensile stress, water absorption and thickness swelling of kenaf and bamboo reinforced polyethylene composites were found to increase with increasing fibre weight fraction. Kenaf and bamboo composites showed compatible result for tensile stress and tensile modulus of elasticity while coconut coir appears to be otherwise. However, coconut coir fibre composites displayed comparable results to kenaf and bamboo for both water and thickness swelling. There were significant differences in both tensile properties and the percentage of the water absorption among composites.

Abstract: Now-a-days traditional materials are replacing the natural fibres in automobile components like dashboards, seat-backs and interior trims due to its properties like light weight, environment friendly, good stiffness and high strength to weight ratio . In the study three different continuous fibres, Acacia, Jute and Sisal were mixed in varying proportion with GFRP and epoxy resin on a determined ratio basis to get three different composite samples. These fibres were alkaline treated and moulded using compression moulding and hand lay-up technique. These samples were tested for their Tensile and Impact strengths to find the specimen with higher strength. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test was also conducted to study the structure of all three specimens after tensile test. The study concludes that the sample ‘A’ which has maximum content of sisal has higher tensile strength than other two samples. Similarly impact test concludes that specimen ‘B’ and ‘C’ which has maximum content of Jute and Acacia has equal and higher strength.

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effects of alkaline treatment on the tensile properties of Napier grass fibres. The effect of different concentrations of NaOH aqueous solutions on the morphology and structure of the fibres were studied. The fibres were treated with 5%, 10%, and 15% of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration for 24 hours of soaking time. The single fibre tests were then performed in accordance with ASTM D3822-07 standard. The morphology of the fibres before and after alkali treatment was observed with a Metallurgical Microscope MT8100. The results show that the physical properties were varied after the treatments and 10% concentration of NaOH treatment yield the maximum tensile strength and elongation of the fibre at 172 MPa and 5.7% respectively. Morphology observation found that the fibre became thinner, and the surface roughness of the fibres increased with the increment of NaOH concentration.

Abstract: Mechanical properties of formulated biocomposite between acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer and kenaf whole stem (KWS) fibre have been investigated. This work has been done by alternating the KWSfibre loading with aim to propose the best formulation for preparing ABS/kenafbiocompositeby referring to its mechanical properties with the addition of processing aid.KWS fiber loading up from 10% to 50% are considered in this work and evaluated. It was found that by increasing the KWS fibre loading, the Young’s and flexural modulus of the ABS/kenafbiocomposite was subsequently increased too. Interestingly, the biocomposite strength decreased considerably while the impact strength drops significantly. ABS/kenafbiocomposite with 50% KWSfibre loading (C-50/50) has showed better performance compared to other formulation. However, a higher fibre loading was not considered presently as difficulties during compounding process are to be anticipated.

Abstract: This investigation presents the lateral quasi-static compression crushing testing and load carrying capacity of three different hexagonal angles ranging from 40^ο to 60^ο. The objective of this study is to understand the effect of hexagonal shape on the progressive deformation, crashworthiness and failure modes. A hand lay-up technique was used to fabricate a hexagonal composite. Quasi-static tests have been carried out on all the specimens tested. From the experimental study, it was found that the tubes crushed with four longitudinal cracks on all sides of the tubes. Furthermore, the energy absorption capability, decreased with the increase of the hexagonal side angles from 40^ο to 60^ο.

Abstract: The composite element of 20 mm in thickness were manufactured using high volume fly ash, silica fume as alternative hydraulic binders and Portland cement Type II. Pine wood shavel as by product of local small wood working industries were used as the composite filler. The elements were given in situ wet and dry treatment for 9 months. Visually there is no fiber degradation as a result of the interaction of the environment. The assessment were done to the elements bending strength and dimensional properties. Increase in MoRafter 180 days of exposure shown that mechanically, this degradation is not seen yet. The increment of MoR ( 213%) compare to that of 28 days might be affected by the formation of calcium hydroxide (CH) or ettringite in the transition zone. The use of pozzolan showed also a delay or minimize degradation of composites while improving the pore structure, and minimize the mineralization of the fiber bond with the cement matrix. The water absorption is 4,22% at 180 days, 7,94% at 120 days and 12,38% at 28 days, in line with the 68% decrease in Thickness Swelling (TS). This unoccured degradation could also be affected by the presence of silica fume in the binder matrix. After 270 days of exposure under tropical condition, the flexural strength started to decrease.

Abstract: This study reports the findings of an experimental investigation for bamboo fibre (BF) reinforced concrete board. In this research, all specimens were prepared at 0.4 water/binder ratio. There were two series of specimens namely A series and B series. The A group utilizes only ordinary portland cement (OPC) as binder. Meanwhile, series B specimens uses binary binders, which were combination of OPC and pulverized fuel ash (PFA) with PFA to OPC ratio of 0.2. The performance of flat board plates with different percentage of bamboo fiber ranging from 0% to 5% and 20% PFA incorporation of cement weight were tested for bending strength (flexural) and compressive strength in accordance to BS 5669: Part 1 for particleboards. Specimens are cured in water curing tank and tested at 3, 7 and 28 days for compression test. Meanwhile for flexural strength test, the specimens are tested at 28 days. It is found that flexural and compressive strength increases with addition of BF. The optimum compressive and flexural strength at 28 days are recorded with 3% incorporation of BF for both PFA and control samples. Therefore, utilizing natural fibre and waste material for partial substitution of cement content in producing internal wall paneling system could contributes to the economic appeal and promoting sustainable construction approach.

Abstract: Flexural properties of hybrid glass/jute fibre reinforced epoxy composites were optimised by response surface methodology. The processing parameters of vacuum infusion technique such as supply pressure, soaking time and use of flow media were investigated. The flexural properties of the resulting composites were evaluated using three-point bending test in accordance with the ASTM D790-03 standard. The flexural strength of ~195 MPa and elastic modulus of ~13412 MPa were achieved at optimum parameter of 100 kPa pressure, 120 minutes soaking time with the utilization of flow media during vacuum infusion process.