MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITE FILLED MODFIED KENAF FIBER
RESEARCH MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (RMI) UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA 40450 SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR
MALAYSIA
BY: SUZANA BINTI RATIM HEAD OF PROJECT
Prof Madya DR RAHMAH MOHAMED MEMBER 1
DR SITI NORASMAH SURIP MEMBER 2
OKTOBER2012
Contents 1. Letter of Report Submission ii
2. Letter of Offer (Research Grant) iv
3. Acknowledgements vi
4. Enhanced Research Title and Objectives vii
5. Report
5.1 Proposed Executive Summary 1
5.2 Enhanced Executive Summary 2
5.3 Introduction 3
5.4 Brief Literature Review 4
5.5 Methodology 8
5.6 Results and Discussion 10
5.7 Conclusion and Recommendation 13
5.8 References/Bibliography 14
6. Research Outcomes 16
7. Appendix 17
ii
I UNIVERSITI f^Z%9 TEKNOLOGI < i ^ MARA
Surat Kami : 600-RMl/ST/DANA 5/3/Dst (144/2008) Tarikh : 14 November 2008
Suzana bt Ratim Keiua Projek Fakulti Sains Gunaan 40450 Shah Alam UITM MALAYSIA
Prof Madya Dr Rahmah bt Mohamed Ahli Projek Institut Sains 40450 Shah Alam U!T|» MALAYSIA
Dr Siti Norasmah bt Surip Ahli Projek Fakulti Sains Gunaan 40450 Shah Alam UITM MALAYSIA
Tuan/Puan,
TAJUK PROJEK PENYELIDIKAN DANA KECEMERLANGAN: CHARACTERIZATION OF UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITE FILLED MODIFIED KENAF FIBER
Dengan hormatnya perkara di atas adalah dirujuk.
Sukacita dimaklumkan Institut Pengurusan Penyelidikan (RMI) teiah meluluskan cadangan penyelidikan yang telah dikemukakan oleh tuan/puan bertajuk di atas dengan syarat-syarat seperti berikut:
i. Tempoh projek penyelidikan ini ialah 1 tahun, iaitu bermula 1 November 2008 hingga 30 o\c{ob^r 2009.
ii. Kos yang diluluskan ialah sebanyak RM10,000.00 sahaja caiam (Kategori C). Tuan/Puan diminta mengemukakan proposal beserta bajet yang baru mengikut kos yang diluluskan sebelum tuan/puan memulakan projek penyelidikan tuan/puan.
iii. Pembelian peralatan komputer adalah tidak diluluskan.
v. Semua pembelian bahan/peralatan adalah diminta agar tuan/puan mematuhi prosedur perbendaharaan di mana pembelian melebihi RM500.00 hendaklah mengemukakan sebutharga dan borang analisa harga.
iv. Pihak tuan/puan dikehendaki mengemukakan laporan prestasi secara ringkas pada bulan Disember 2008 sepanjang penyelidikan tuan/puan berjalan.
iv. Tiada biodata penyelidik.
aib Canselor (Penyelidikan) : 603 5544 2094/2095 enyelidikan : 603-5544 2097/2091/5521 1462 erundingan :603-5544 2100/2753/2092 lovasi : 603-5544 2750/2 747
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Bahagian Pentadbiran : 603 5544 2090 Fax : 603-5544 2096/2767 Unit Kewangan Zon 17 : 603 5544 3404
:603-5521 1386
1.2 Enhanced Executive Summary
The effects of the mechanical properties of polyester composite filled kenaf fiber were
investigated. Mechanical properties of natural fiber composites highly depend on the
chemical bonding formed between matrix and fiber. However, hydrophilic nature of
natural fiber causes incompatible reaction between these two constituents. Therefore,
chemical modification is introduced to increase interfacial bonding among them.
Unsaturated polyester composites filled kenaf fiber was prepared via hand lay-up
process. Chemical treatment of kenaf fiber with NaOH is first introduced to remove
impurities and other constituents on the fiber surface in order to get pure cellulose fiber.
Treated and untreated kenaf fiber was mixed with different ratio of unsaturated polyester
matrix. These studies comprised of three stages where kenaf fiber were first treated with
6% of NaOH solution followed by modification of kenaf fiber by Maleic Anhydride (MAN).
Mechanical characterizations of treated and untreated composites sample were tested
through flexural, tensile and impact testing. The highest value of tensile strength is 18.3
N/mm achieved by composite sample treated with MA and prior treatment of NAOH. The
same result goes to modulus of elasticity and impact samples with 2500 N/mm and 5.63
kJ/m2. On the other hand, flexural properties showed inconsistency of value for all types
of samples. Adhesion formed by kenaf fiber and UPR is studied by looking of fracture
surface of tensile test samples. SEM morphological studies showed that strong bonding
formed at the interface region of kenaf and UPR resin.
2
Introduction
Lignecellulosic fibers such as jute, ramie, kenaf, coir have attracted consideration as
alternative materials to replace synthetic fiber and other conventional reinforcements.
These natural fiber composite combine good mechanical properties with low specific
mass ad offer alternative materials for glass fiber reinforced plastics in some technical
application (Gassan 2002).
Despite the attractiveness of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites, they
suffer from lower modulus, lower strength and relatively poor moisture resistance
compared to synthetic fiber reinforced composites (Thwe and Liao, 2002). One difficulty
that has prevented the use of natural fibers is the lack of good adhesion with polymeric
matrices (Bessadok et al. 2008). According to Gassan 2002, their high level of moisture
absorption, poor wettability by non-polar plastic and insufficient adhesion between
untreated fibers and polymer matrix lead to debonding with age.
The presence of hydroxyl and other polar groups in natural fiber, moisture uptake can
lead to weak interfacial bonding between the fibers and hydrophobic polymer matrices
(Thwe and Liao, 2002). In particular, the great moisture sorption of natural fibres
adversely affects adhesion with hydrophobic matrix leading to premature ageing by
degradation and loss of strength reactions (Bessadok et al. 2008). Previous study shown
that degradation of mechanical properties caused by higher moisture uptake of natural
fiber (Karmaker 1997). Interfacial adhesion and resistance to moisture absorption of
natural-fibre composites can be improved by treating these fibres with suitable chemical
reactions (Bessadok et al. 2008).
It is necessary to enhance the hydrophobisity of natural fiber by chemical treatments
with suitable coupling agents or coating with appropriate resin to develop better
mechanical properties and environmental performance (Thwe and Liao, 2002).
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