Mechanical Properties of Kenaf - Unsaturated Polyester Composites: Effect of Fiber Treatment and Fiber Length

Abstract:

Kenaf fibre is a natural fibre which is growing in popularity due environmental issues and its properties as filler. Unsaturated polyester was used in this investigation via add 1% MEKP concentration ratio as the catalyst. This matrix was combined with untreated kenaf fiber with various fiber sizes (1-6) mm and (10-30) mm, alkalized with 6% NaOH solution for treated kenaf fiber to form natural fiber for two different fiber lengths composites. Composites were prepared by adding various percentages of kenaf fiber in unsaturated polyester resin. A general trend was observed whereby alkalized fiber composites possessed superior flexural strength and modulus and the maximum strength and modulus was at the 20wt% weight fraction. The length of (10-30) mm gave higher tensile and flexural properties compared to (1-6) mm. The modulus of elasticity showed a regular trend of an increase with fiber weight percent until 30% for both fiber lengths and afterwards a decrease in modulus of elasticity for composites with greater fiber weight fraction. The experimental modulus of elasticity was compared with the theoretical predictions and was found to be in good agreement with Hirsch’s model while the results obtained from Cox – Krenchel underestimating the experimental data.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 311-313)
• Pages: 260-271
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.311-313.260
• Online since: August 2011
• Authors: E. Osman, A. Vakhguelt, I. Sbarski, S. Mutasher
• Keywords: Kenaf Fiber, Mechanical Property, Natural Fiber Composite (NFC), Unsaturated Polyester and Fiber Length

References

[1] S. Shibata , I. Fukumoto, Y. Cao: Polymer Composite Vol. 27-2 (2006), p.170

[2] G. Clemons, A. R. Sanadi: Reinforced Plastics And Composites Vol. 26-15 (2007), p.1587

[3] S. H. Aziz, M. P. Ansell, S. J. Clarke, and S. R. Panteny: Composites Science and Technology Vol. 65 (2005), p.525

[4] Y. Xue, Y. Du, S. Elder, K. Wang, J. Zhang Composites Part B, Vol. 40 (2009), p.189

[5] M. R. Ishak, Z. Leman, S. M. Sapuan, A. M. M. Edeerozey and I. S. Othman IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering Vol. 11 (2010).

DOI: 10.1088/1757-899x/11/1/012006

[6] S. H. Aziz, M. P. Ansell, S. J. Clarke and S. R. Panteny: Composites Science and Technology Vol. 65 (2005), P. 525-535

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2004.08.005

[7] S. H. Ahmad, N. N. Bonnia, I. Zainol, A. A. Mamun and A. K. Bledzki: Composites Materials Vol.0-0 (2010).

[8] R. M. N. Arib, S. M. Sapuan, M. M. H. M. Ahmad, M. T. Paridah and H. M. D. Khairul Zaman: Materials and Design Vol. 27 (2004), pp.391-396

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2004.11.009

[9] B. A. Acha, N. E. Marcovich and M. M. Reboredo: Applied Polymer Science Vol. 98 (2005), pp.639-650

[10] J. Andersons and, R. Joffe: Polymer Composites Vol. 27-2 (2006), p.221 – 229.

[11] G. Kalaprasad, K. Joseph, S. Thomas and C. Pavithran: Materials Science Vol. 32 (1997), pp.4261-4267.

DOI: 10.1023/a:1018651218515

[12] A. El-Sabbagh, L. Steuernagel and G. Ziegmann: Composite Polymer Vol. 30-4 (2009), p.510 – 519.

[13] J. L. Thomason and M. A. Vlug: Applied Science and Manufacturing: Part A Vol. 27- 6 (1996), pp.477-484.

[14] H. Bos: The Potential of Flax Fibers as Reinforcement for Composite Materials, PhD thesis, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Netherland), (2004 ISBN 90-386-3005-0

[15] MDH Beg: The Improvement of interfacial Bonding, Weathering and Recycling of Wood Fiber reinforced polypropylene Composite, PhD thesis, the University of WAIKATO, New Zealand (2007).