Effect of Needle Punching Direction on Nonwoven Fiber Mat to the Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Reinforced Epoxy Composites Produced by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding

Abstract:

This study evaluates the performance of nonwoven kenaf mat reinforced epoxy that was fabricated by vacuum resin transfer molding method. Kenaf mats were formed by carding and needle punching technique at 50 cm² sticthing density and 1.5 cm penetration depth. The specimens were prepared from different volume fraction of kenaf mat and epoxy resin, which consist of 18% kenaf mat/ 82% epoxy resin and 27% kenaf / 73% epoxy resin. Tensile and compression properties were studied at 0^o, 45^o and 90^o needle punching direction. The tensile properties increased with the increase of composites volume fraction and were decreased with the increase of needle punching direction degree. On the other hand, the compression properties of composites were reduced with the increase of volume fraction and needle punching direction degree. The composites properties were affected by the orientation and interlocking of fiber caused by needle penetration in direction of depth and movement direction.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1024)
• Pages: 267-270
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1024.267
• Online since: August 2014
• Authors: Dody Ariawan, Zainal Arifin Mohd Ishak*, Razaina Mat Taib, Mohd Zharif Ahmad Thirmizir, Y.J. Phua
• Keywords: Epoxy, Kenaf, Needle Punching Direction, Resin Transfer Molding

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