Luqman Musa

Influence of Solidification Process on Calcined Kaolin Geopolymeric Powder

This paper aims at investigating the influence of solidification condition on the processing of calcined kaolin geopolymeric powder. This is a new process developed using the geopolymerization process. Geopolymer slurry was prepared from calcined kaolin and activating solution (mixture of NaOH and Na2SiO3). This slurry was allowed to solidify in oven and then crushed and grounded to fixed particle size. Compressive testing and SEM analysis were performed in this study. The results showed that the solidification condition at 80 °C for 4 hours was the best to synthesize the geopolymeric powder where this solidification condition results in geopolymeric powder which can produce higher strength resulted geopolymer paste. The microstructure showed more intervening gel phase which indicates that the geopolymerization process continued to react after the addition of water to the calcined kaolin geopolymeric powder.

Curing Behavior on kaolin-based geopolymers

This paper aims at investigating the influence of curing process on kaolin-based geopolymers. Kaolin-based geopolymers were prepared by the alkali-activation of kaolin with alkali activating solution (mixture of NaOH and Na2SiO3 solutions). The compressive testing, XRD and FTIR analysis were performed. The compressive strength results showed that curing at 60°C for 3 day achieves better strength. XRD analysis revealed that the entire geopolymer sample reduced in intensities and became amorphous at longer age while FTIR analysis indicated the presence of geopolymer bondings. Both analyses showed the presence of large amount of un-reacted remained in the system were the reason of the low compressive strength obtained.

Recycled High Density Polyethylene / Natural Rubber / Chicken Feather Fibers (RHDPE/NR/CFF) Composites: The Effects of Fiber Loading and Benzyl Urea on Tensile Properties and Morphology Analysis

The effects of benzyl urea into RHDPE/NR/CFF composites with different fibers loading were studied. The composites were prepared using BrabenderPlasticorder at 160 °C with rotor speed of 50rpm. The composites were characterized in respect of their tensile properties and morphology. The results indicated that RHDPE/NR/CFF with benzyl urea composites show higher values of tensile strength, Youngs modulus, but lower elongation at break than RHDPE/NR/CFF composites. RHDPE/NR/CFF with benzyl urea composites gave a better interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fiber than RHDPE/NR/CFF composites as evidence using SEM.

Effect of Mechanical Activation on Kaolin-Based Geopolymers

Raw materials kaolin was subjected to mechanical modification; the effect of the mechanical activation of kaolin on the compressive strength and morphological properties of the geopolymers has been studied. Mechanical activation of the kaolin results in particle size reduction and morphology changes with increase in reactivity. Mechanical activated kaolin has overall higher strength gain compared to raw kaolin. Wider particle size distribution and some spherical particles produced, promote a higher packaging density in the sample resulting in higher strength obtained. Mechanically activation of kaolin can be considered as an alternative method to achieve better geopolymerization reaction for kaolin-based geopolymer.

The Effect of Different Alkaline Treatment Condition on Flexural Properties of Kenaf Bast-Unsaturated Polyester Composite

The biocomposites were prepared by using kenaf bast fiber mat as reinforcing materials at different percentage. The kenaf bast fiber was treated with alkaline at different sodium hydroxide (NaOH) percentage. From the results obtained, surface morphology of the treated kenaf bast fiber shows less impurity than untreated kenaf bast fiber. As for composites prepared from alkaline treated kenaf bast fiber, it showed higher mechanical properties as compared to those prepared from untreated kenaf bast fiber. The percentage of kenaf fiber in composites also plays a crucial role in determining the composite properties.

Strength and Microstructural Properties of Mechanically-Activated Kaolin Geopolymers

Kaolin geopolymers exhibit low strength properties due to its plate-like nature which contribute to smaller surface area for geopolymerization reactions. Layered kaolin structure only allows very little, if any, substitution of other elements. Therefore, mechanical activation is an alternative way to break the kaolin structure to become finer to change the morphological features to smoother surface, and to cause edge distortion to the kaolin particles. Rounded particles also can be produced using this technique. This mechanically-activated kaolin was used to produce mechanically-activated kaolin geopolymers in this study. From the results, compressive strength increased as mechanical activation time increased and the compressive strength increased with the ageing day. The SEM micrograph showed that the mechanically-activated kaolin geopolymers have denser structure which complies with the compressive strength measured.

Effect of Modification Time of Kenaf Bast Fiber with Maleic Anhydride on Tensile Properties of Kenaf-Glass Hybrid Fiber Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are generally lower in mechanical performance compared to synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composites. However, this disadvantage can be improved via chemical modification of the natural fiber and hybridization with synthetic fiber. In this study, kenaf bast fiber was used as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester composites. It was subjected to chemical modification with maleic anhydride at various treatment time i.e. 60, 90 and 120 minutes prior to composites production. The untreated and MA treated kenaf bast fiber were hybridized with 10 weight percent of glass fiber to produce kenaf bast/glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. The effect of treatment time on weight percent gain and functional group changes via infra-red spectra of kenaf bast fiber were investigated. The effect of treatment time on tensile properties of kenaf bast fiber and kenaf bast/glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were also studied. It was revealed that the weight percent gain of kenaf bast fiber increased with the increasing of treatment time. The increasing of treatment time resulted in the enhancement of tensile strength and modulus of kenaf bast fiber and kenaf bast/glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites which were attributed to the presence of C=C bonds of maleic anhydride and has been proven through fourier transform infrared spectrum.

Study of Cassava Starch Filled with Different Loading of Kenaf Core Fiber

Cassava starch (CS) films filled with different loading of kenaf core fiber (KCF) were prepared and tested. Three testing were carried out; tensile test, water absorption test, and oil absorption test. The tensile test showed an increase in stiffness of the modulus as the loading of KCF increased. Additionally, the increase of KCF loading also increased the amount of water and oil absorbed by the films.

Transverse and Longitudinal Flexural Properties of Untreated and Maleic Anhydride Treated Kenaf Bast Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Kenaf bast fibers were prepared into two types as untreated and maleic anhydride (MA) treated. Unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin was used as matrix and applied onto the kenaf bast fibers using hand lay-up method. Transverse and longitudinal flexural properties of unidirectional long kenaf bast fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were performed and the effect of fiber modification and loading were studied. It is found that the transverse flexural strength of both types of composites decreases with the increasing of kenaf loading. Contrary, longitudinal flexural strength of both composites increases with the increasing of kenaf loading. Improved transverse and longitudinal flexural properties are shown by MA treatment of kenaf bast fiber. The interactions between fiber and matrix of fractured flexural surface were also observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Effect of Montmorillonite Modification on Ultra Violet Radiation Cured Nanocomposite Filled with Glycidyl Methacrylate Modified Kenaf

In this study nanocomposite cured by ultra violet radiation, were produced using modified montmorillonite (MMT) as reinforcing agent, chemically modified kenaf bast fiber as filler and unsaturated polyester as the matrix. Kenaf bast fiber was chemically modified with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) whilst MMT were modified with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Fixed 12 percent of GMA modified kenaf bast fiber with different percentage (i.e., 1, 3 and 5) of unmodified and modified MMT loading was used to produce the composite. The performed of GMA reaction with hydroxyl group of cellulose in kenaf bast fiber was evaluated using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. GMA-MMT filled composite showed higher mechanical properties than MMT and CTAB-MMT filled composite. However, the increase of MMT, CTAB-MMT and GMA- MMT loading resulted in the reduction of mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the evidence of compatibility enhancement between MMT and kenaf bast fiber with unsaturated polyester matrix.