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

Bahagian Penerbitan : 603-5521 1425/5544 2747 BahagianlNFOREC; 603-5544 3097/2104/2098 Bahagian Sains:603-5544 2098/5521 1463 Pejabat Am : 603 5544 2093/2101/2057/2559

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.

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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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