Materials Science Forum Vol. 1025

Abstract: In the present article aluminium matrix composites were fabricated by cold pressing and sintering technique. Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with various weight percentage 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 were added as a reinforcement to aluminium (Al) matrix. A planetary ball mill was used for mechanical alloying and even dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aluminium matrix. Tin (Sn) with 1.0 weight percent was used in composite to incite the sintering. The sintering was carried out at 500°C inside a tube furnace in an argon atmosphere. The morphology and structure of CNT and Al-Sn-CNT composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of MWCNT reinforcement on microhardness and wear properties of Al-Sn-CNT composite was investigated. The hardness of composites was improved significantly with increase in CNT fraction. The reduction in the coefficient of friction and improvement in the wear resistance of the Al-Sn-CNT composite was noticed with the increase in percentage of CNTs in the composite.

Abstract: In this study, the effect of different treatments and the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) on the mechanical and thermal properties of Alpinia galanga (AG) fiber/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were investigated. The AG fibers were pretreated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and then treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APE) as well as treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The samples were first prepared by melt blending method before being injected to specimen dumbbell shape using an injection moulding machine. Three different fiber loadings were studied, such as 3, 6, 10 and 15 wt%. The tensile test results revealed that the NaOH and 3-APE treatments increased the tensile strength of AG/HDPE composites with the addition of MAPE at all fiber loadings, whereas tensile strength of PTSA treatment improved at 3 wt% fiber loading. The morphological studies confirmed a better adhesion between treated fiber and HDPE matrix with the inclusion of MAPE. Thermal analysis study showed that NaOH, 3-APE and PTSA treatments on AG fibers improved the thermal stability of the composites with an addition of MAPE by delaying the thermal degradation of the composites. The water absorption test proved NaOH and 3-APE treated fiber exhibited lower water absorption than other composites with the inclusion of MAPE. Overall, the results indicated that chemical treatment with NaOH and 3-APE with the presence of MAPE is a good approach towards the development of natural fiber composites.

Abstract: A brake disc has an significant role in the vehicle and it is used to stop or decrease the velocity of the vehicle. The demand of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is greatly increased in fabricating the brake disc since it possesses a low density and high thermal conductivity. Over-heating will lead to the malfunction of the braking system and affect the safety of vehicle. Reduced weight of brake disc can decrease the use of fuel of the vehicle thus improve the fuel usage efficiency. This paper is focussed to determine the suitability of AlSiCGr hybrid MMCs compared to cast iron in terms of thermal and structural properties for brake disc. Both design of brake discs was proposed and modelled using CATIA and then imported to ANSYS software for structural and thermal analysis. The simulation results showed that AlSiCGr hybrid MMCs brake disc has higher thermal and structural performance compared to the original cast iron brake disc.

Abstract: Recently, the utilization of lignocellulosic materials to produce eco-friendly products is very promising as biodegradable reinforcing elements for composite materials like particleboards and medium density fiberboards. The growing shortage of wood supply has also led to the development of suitable alternative materials for construction. For this reason, the industry is working to develop high-efficiency green materials including the use of seaweed. This research is aims to study the potential of seaweed from Kappaphycus species as a particleboard. Several different target densities were produced according to following proportions: seaweed particles from 150 to 200 grams and UF resin from 15% to 20%. Mechanical properties including internal bonding and bending testing were tested in this study. Samples were also investigated by utilizing microscopy for surface characterization. The outcome showed that seaweed particleboard with highest amount of seaweed particle and UF resin resulted in highest MOE, MOR and internal bonding strength values with results 457.47, 1.5, and 4.73 MPa, respectively. According to Japanese Standard, Internal bonding (IB) strength values for all the samples met the IB requirements of the standards for general uses. Thus, seaweed particle has potential to be an alternative raw material in the manufacture of particleboards.

Abstract: This study is conducted to synthesis bio-polyurethane from epoxidized palm oil (EPO). Palm oil-based polyurethane was synthesized by the acrylation process followed by thiols addition. The resulting oligomers were then reacted with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dibutylin dilaurate (DBTDL) to form Thiolated Acrylated Epoxidized Palm Oil Urethane (t-AEPOU). t-AEPOU was then reacted under UV photoirradiation for further reaction and to pre-determine its curing activities. The polymerization of AEPO and t-AEPOU were confirms by using Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier-Transform Infra Red (ATR-FTIR). This study affords new approach in synthesis of Palm Oil bio-based Polyurethane Coating.

Abstract: Hylocereus polyrhizus is a climbing vine cactus species that grows in tropical area. Recently, it has attracted the attention of public as it provides numerous benefits to humans in term of health especially for those who prioritize health over mostly anything. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of different type of cytokinins which were 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin in different concentration with combination of waste coconut water and sucrose on enhancing the in vitro multiplication of H. polyrhizus. It was found that BAP had higher effect in shoot multiplication than Kinetin as the highest number of shoots was produced at 3.67± 0.67 when supplemented with 3.0 mg/L of BAP whereas for Kinetin, it only produced 1.75±0.38 shoots and without cytokinin was 1.17±0.01. However, Kinetin had a slightly better effect in shoot elongation than BAP as Kinetin produced shoots with longer length than BAP. It was found that the longest length produced by Kinetin was 2.51±0.06 while BAP was 2.43±0.05 cm and without cytokinin was 2.18±.0.01.For the production of roots, low concentration of cytokinin in range 0.3 mg/L to 1.0 mg/L provides the best number of roots. In conclusion, addition of cytokinin has significant effect in enhancing the growth and multiplication of vegetative H. polyrhizus.

Abstract: Azolla Filliculoides has been utilized as biofertilizer to increase productivity and yield of paddy. Azolla was used as a good source of nutrient to the paddy plant. In this study, we investigated the growth and productivity of paddy plant supplemented with liquid Azolla biofertilizer. The preparation of Azolla was monitored under several parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity in an aquaponics system. Water quality analysis of the aquaponic system was monitored by using the Arduino system which the customized design that consists of a microcontroller to record the parameters directly to the computing device in a single optimum and efficient system. The nutrient composition of liquid Azolla biofertilizer was analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) and CHNS elemental analysers. hows that liquid Azolla contents 0.958% nitrogen, 15.5 ppm phosphorus and 159.8 ppm potassium. After four months, the yield of paddy on Azolla was 149.12 kg/he with the productivity of 63.157 kg/he/year. This application helped to an efficient monitoring system for measure high yield and productivity of biofertilizer by Arduino software monitoring. This study can act as an initial step for the web-based automated control and monitoring of the food production system.

Abstract: Agarwood has been used for its fragrance and medicinal properties in Asian culture for centuries. In recent years, agarwood gains its popularity in the west due to its usage in perfume formulation. Unfortunately its supply not meets the augmentation market demand. This is mostly because of depleting nature agarwood reservoir and lack of induction technique that can produce agarwood consistently in the plantation. In this study, we look into a case where artificial inducing technique successfully produced high quality agarwood. To assure its quality, agarwood chip was analysed by Gas Chromatography for its chemical profiles. Discovered compounds were identified as sesquiterpene group which also had been characterized as major agarwood compound listed on previous studies. Few compounds that are detected such as δ-cadinene (0.20%), jinkoh-eremol (22.09%), epi-α-cadinol (4.74%), agarospirol (3.75%) and others. Soil condition that contributes into this agarwood formation; soil analysis on physical properties, chemical properties and nutrients content of the soil have been analyzed. Based on the findings, soil condition is an important factor to successfully induced high quality agarwood.

Abstract: Edible pulasan seed contains of many bioactive compounds are usually discarded as waste. This study is conducted to evaluate the variability of fat properties, polyphenols and antinutrient contents during fermentation and roasted seed of pulasan, Nephelium mutabile. Pulasan seed undergone natural fermentation for day 0, day 1, day 3 and day 5 and followed by 2 days drying in oven at 60°C and this was labelled as fermented pulasan seed (FPS) sample. Half of the FPS sample was roasted at 130°C for 25min and generated as roasted and fermented pulasan seed (RFPS). Soxhlet extraction was conducted on seed powder to determine the crude fat content. Pulasan seed fat was subjected to GC-MS, UPLC-QTOF/MS and DSC for characterization and analysis of seed fat properties. By using a microplate reader, polyphenol content was determined with Folin–Ciocalteu method and saponin content was determined with Vanilin-Sulphuric acid assay. Result showed that crude fat content in FPS and RFPS reduced about 23.52% and 37.34% respectively after 5 days fermentation. The dominant fatty acid composition in pulasan seed were oleic acid (62.04%) and stearic acid (23.57%). The total UFA decreased and total SFA increased in day 5 of both FPS and RFPS. Triacylglycerol in FPS and RFPS decreased with fermentation. Total phenolic content and saponin content of FPS and RFPS decreased as the fermentation period increased due to the microbial activity and thermal degradation. Combination of fermentation and roasting treatment has more positive effect on reduction of the fat content, polyphenol and antinutrient content in pulasan seed which able to explore its potential like produce as healthy snack in food industry to resolve the agriculture waste issue.

Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the compounds in the different types of commercial aroma used to attract swiftlets in the birdhouse. Analysis of the volatile compounds is done on two types of commercial aroma, which is categorized as floor aroma (F1, F2, F3) and top aroma (T1, T2, T3) using SPME-GC-MS. As a result, F1, F2 and F3 shows the presence of major constituents like 2-heptanone (13.53%, 3.22% and 0.37% respectively) and 2-nonanone (0.83%, 2.02%, and 0.82% respectively) using DB-1ms while 2-heptanone (5.87%, 0.78% and 0.45% respectively) and methoxy-phenyl-oxime (11.50%, 11.84% and 0.20% respectively) using DB-wax. Major constituents detected using DB-1ms for T1, T2 and T3 are 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol (36.49%, 16.23% and 3.06% respectively). Meanwhile, no similar compounds detected by DB-wax for sample T1, T2 and T3. The overall findings concluded that most of the formulation used in the commercial aroma contained strong odor-producing chemicals to attract swiftlets. More studies should be done on investigating the effects of the commercial aroma towards swiftlet also on aroma made from natural substances instead of chemically produced commercial aroma.