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Tensile Properties of Hybrid Sugar Palm/Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Study on hybridization of two types of natural fibres reinforced thermoplastic composites was an alternative option in research on natural composites. This paper presents the investigation on tensile properties of combining sugar palm and kenaf fibres reinforced polypropylene composites. The hybrid composites were prepared with different amounts of fibres (i.e. 10%, 20% and 30% by weight percent) while the ratios between sugar palm and kenaf fibre are 30:70, 50:50 and 70:30. The composites have been fabricated using melt mixer technique and followed by compression molding process. The specimens were cut according ASTM Standard D638 for conducting the tensile testing. The results shown that tensile strength of composites tend to decreased when the content of loading fibres increased. Among the composites with different ratios, the hybrid composites that contain more kenaf fibres exhibit the higher value in tensile strength than the composites that contain more sugar palm fibres.

Electrochemical Deposited Nickel Nanowires: Influence of Deposition Bath Temperature on the Morphology and Physical Properties

This paper investigates the influence of the electrolytic bath temperature on the morphology and physical properties of nickel (Ni) nanowires electrochemically deposited into the anodic alumina oxide porous membrane (AAO). The synthesis was performed using nickel sulfate hexahydrate (NiSO4.6H2O) and boric acid (H3BO3) as an electrolytic bath for the electrochemical deposition of Ni nanowires. During the experiment, the electrolyte bath temperature varied from 40°C, 80°C, and 120°C. After the electrochemical deposition process, AAO templates cleaned with distilled water preceding to dissolution in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to obtain free-standing Ni nanowires. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis were employed to characterize the morphology and physical properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires. Finding reveals the electrodeposition bath temperature significantly influences the morphology and physical properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires. Rougher surface texture, larger crystal size, and longer Ni nanowires obtained as the deposition bath temperature increased. From the physical properties properties analysis, it can be concluded that deposition bath temperature influence the physical properties of Ni nanowires.

Tensile Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibre Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

In recent years natural fibres such as sisal, jute, kenaf, pineapple leaf and banana fibres appear to be the outstanding materials which come as the viable and abundant substitute for the expensive and non-renewable synthethic fibre. This paper investigate the effect of fibre length and fibre content on the tensile properties of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites. PALF as reinforcement agent will be employed with UP to form composite material specimens. The various of fiber length (<0.5, 0.5–1, and 1-2 mm) and fibre content (0, 5, 10 and 15 % by volume) in UP composite have been studied. The fabrication of PALF/UP composites used hand lay-up process, and the specimens for tensile test prepared follow the ASTM D3039. The result obtained from this study show that the 1-2 mm fibre length has higher tensile strength (42 MPa) and tensile modulus (1344 MPa) values compared to fibre length of <0.5 mm (30 MPa and 981 MPa) and 0.5-1 mm (35.40 MPa and 1020 MPa) respectively. Meanwhile, for the effect of various fibre content in study has shown that the increase of fibre content has decreased in tensile strength dan tensile modulus of composites. The increase of fibre content due to poor interfacial bonding and poor wetting of the fibre by unsaturated polyster. The treatment of natural fibre are suggested in order to improve the interfacial adhesion between natural fibre and the unsaturated polyester.

Characterisation of cassava biopolymers and the determination of their optimum processing temperatures

ABSTRACT This work reports the characterisation of cassava biopolymers. Moreover, the effects of processing temperature on the tensile properties and phase morphology of cassava biopolymers were investigated. Eight different temperatures were selected as processing temperatures in sample preparation of the cassava biopolymers. Variance analysis justifies that 165 and 170°C are the optimum processing temperatures in producing maximum tensile properties. The present study reveals that the range of processing temperatures for cassava biopolymer was relatively lower as compared to the majority of the petroleum-based polymer. However, its low processing temperature makes this biopolymer has enormous potential in the development of fully biodegradable composites.

Mechanical Properties of Mengkuang Leave Fiber Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Mengkuang (Pandanus tectorius) grows abundantly in the coastal region of Southeast Asia. To date, the application of mengkuang leaves fiber (MLF) as reinforcement in polymer matrix is still limited in literature making its potential as reinforced material remain unknown. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the tensile properties, flexural, and impact properties of (MLF)/LDPE composite fabricated through the hot compression machine. In this study, the effect of volume fraction, fiber length of MLF was investigated. Two main groups of MLF/LDPE composite samples were established. The first group consists of different fiber mesh size range (<0.5 mm, 0.5–8 mm, and 1–2 mm) with constant volume fraction (10 wt%) while in another group volume fraction is varying (10, 20, and 30 wt%) but constant fiber length (<0.5 mm). Further investigation was conducted by treating the MLF/LDPE composite of volume fraction 30 wt% and fiber length 0.5 mm with maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) with loading content of 2, 4, and 6 wt% The surface fracture of each samples was analyzed via scanning electron microscope. The result from both groups is compared to the pure LDPE. From the result, it can be concluded that both volume fraction and fiber length do not improve tensile properties and impact properties of MLF/LDPE composite. However, the flexural strength of MLF/LDPE increased significantly. A similar result was obtained when MLF/LDPE composite was treated with the MAPE.

Influence of Selected Treatment on Tensile Properties of Short Pineapple Leaf Fiber Reinforced Tapioca Resin Biopolymer Composites

This work reports the influence of various treatments of pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) reinforced tapioca biopolymer (TBP) on the tensile properties. Three different treatments were selected, such as maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) compatibility, maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) compatibility and alkali treatment. Samples with 10% of PALF composition with different concentrations of MAPP and MAPE (1%, 3%, 5% and 7% by weight) and samples with three different treatments were prepared with different PALF compositions (10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight). Results revealed that PALF–TBP with 7% of MAPP showed the highest tensile strength and good interfacial adhesion with the matrix as evidenced by the Scanning electron microscopy analysis. Moreover, the chemical analysis by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the MAPP had improved the PALF compatibility and matrix interfaces. Findings suggested that PALF–TBP composites have a great potential to be used for products in engineering applications.

Potential External Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beam Using Natural Fiber Composite Plate

A study has been conducted to investigate the potential use of mengkuang leaves or Pandanus atrocarpus bonded with epoxy resin as external strengthening material for the strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Physical and mechanical properties as well as structural properties of the mengkuang leaves-epoxy composite plates (MLECP) were evaluated in this study. Chemical treatment was performed on the dried mengkuang leaves using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with concentrations of 2%, 5% and 8%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and flexural strength tests were conducted on the mengkuang leaves and flexural specimens, respectively. All the beams were tested to failure under four-point loading. Results showed that the flexural strength of the composite with 0.3 fiber volume ratio exhibited the highest flexural strength. Strengthening of RC beam using MLECP managed to increase the beam capacity.

Analysis of an Olympic Scale of a Recurve Bow Riser on the Basis of Malaysian Under 15 and Under 17 Archers

Recurve bow is the only type of bow that used in Olympic Games. To date, none of this bow that suits to Malaysian junior archers. This paper aims to analyze a recurve bow riser on the basis of Malaysian anthropometry. Anthropometric data of Malaysian population was gathered to analyze the loads during drawn bow. A static structural analysis of the Matrix riser was executed on a final design of recurve bow riser. The finding from this study shows that the maximum displacement of recurve riser is correspondence to the established previous study. It can be concluded that the design of recurve bow riser can sustain the force applied by Malaysian junior athletes when they aim the target board at a full drawn bow position. The developed bow riser can be very beneficial for both athletes and coaches during training.

Effect of alkaline treatment on mechanical properties of woven ramie reinforced thermoset composite

Ramie fibres are one of the strongest bast fibres with valuable potential as reinforcement in a composite. In this study, the laminated composite of ramie reinforced plain woven was prepared through hand lay-up process. Prior to moulding, the ramie reinforced woven fabric was treated by soaking the fabric in 5% NaOH solution for 1 hour at room temperature. The effects of alkaline treatment on ramie reinforced woven epoxy resin and ramie reinforced woven unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin were investigated in terms of tensile, flexural, and impact properties. Five samples of both treated ramie (TR) composite and untreated ramie (UR) composite were tested and the results were averaged for comparison with one another. Based on the results obtained, the effects of 5% (w/w) concentration of alkaline solution treatment for 1 hour at room temperature are insignificant to the tensile, flexural, and impact properties. The result of UR and TR composite was compared to the composite for pure epoxy resin and UPE resin. Based on the finding, the data obtained shown no improvement in tensile properties. However, in the case of the flexural properties are enhanced except flexural modulus of the TR-epoxy composite. Impact strength only gets better when reinforcing with the untreated ramie. On overall, the TR ramie have an admirable mechanical when reinforced with the epoxy resin than UPE resin.

The Behavior Of Aluminium Carbon/Epoxy Fibre Metal Laminate Under Quasi-Static Loading

One of major concerns that related to the flight safety is impact of birds. To minimize the risks, there is need to increase the impact resistance of aircraft by developing a new material and has the good structural design of aircraft structures. The hybrid laminates are potential candidate material to be applied for the aircraft structures susceptible to bird strikes. The fibre metal laminate was fabricated by a compression moulding technique. The carbon fibre and aluminium alloy 2024-0 was laminated by using thermoset epoxy. A compression moulding technique was used for the FML fabrication. The aluminium sheet metal has been roughening by a metal sanding method which to improve the bonding between the fibre and metal layer. The main objective of this paper is to determine the failure response of the laminate under five variations of the crosshead displacement in the quasi-static loading. The FML was modelled and analysed by using Explicit solver. Based on the experimental data of the quasi-static test, the result of 1 mm/min was 11.85 kN and higher than 5, 10, 50 and 100 mm/min which because of the aluminium ductility during the impact loading response. The numerical simulations were generally in good agreement with the experimental measurements.