Noor Azlina Hassan

Compatibilized PP/EPDM-kenaf fibre composite using melt blending method

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) composite reinforced with Hibiscus cannabinus, L fiber (kenaf fiber, KF) was prepared via melt blending method using internal mixer at temperature 180°C, screw rotational speed at 40rpm for 10 min. TPE matrix is a blend of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) at a ratio of 70:30. The optimum fiber loading were investigated from 0% to 20% by volume. The effect of coupling agent maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) on the TPE composite has been investigated. The result shown that, with increasing the kenaf fiber content gradually increased the tensile strength and flexural strength for both treated and untreated PP/EPDM-KF composite. However, at 20% of kenaf fiber loading, it showed decreasing in impact strength due to brittleness of the samples. From the scanning electron micrograph (SEM) it has shown that the composite, with compatibilizer promotes better interaction between TPE and kenaf fiber.

Effects of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTS) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Plasticized Polylactic Acid Nanocomposites

A multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/plasticized polylactic acid (PLA) composite was prepared using a two-roll mill set at 170°C and 50 rev/min. The material was characterized using dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Characterization works include obtaining mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural properties of the nanocomposites. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 6 wt% was used as the plasticizer for blending with the PLA. It was found that the tensile and flexural strengths of the nanocomposites increased up to 43.8 MPa and 81.4 MPa respectively with the addition of 0.15 wt% MWCNTs. The DMA results revealed that the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites improved with the addition of 0.15 wt% CNTs, which was previously reduced by the incorporation of PEG.

ZnO nanoparticles for anti-corrosion nanocoating of carbon steel

Nanostructured coatings offer great potential for various applications due to their superior characteristics that are not typically found in conventional coatings. This research aimed at developing a new and improved coating that employs zinc oxide nanopowder as the agent to achieve corrosion resistant properties for a coating. The research project discusses on its corrosion behaviour of epoxy-zinc oxide in different media by measuring its corrosion rate. Mild carbon steel was used as the substrate for the epoxy-zinc oxide coating. The corrosion behavior mechanism of mild steel was investigated in different media, namely fresh water, NaCl solution, HCl solution and NaOH solution. Immersion test was conducted and studied for a period of 60 days, with daily and weekly weighing and immersing. The corrosion rate was calculated and mild steel corrodes in the different environment and degrades in the following trend; HCl → NaCl → NaOH → H2O.

Nanofibers from oil palm trunk (OPT): Preparation & chemical analysis

Oil palm trunk (OPT) is one type of agricultural waste material from palm oil industries. The material has big potentials in biocomposite industries. Nanocellulose was extracted from OPT fibers by a chemi-mechanical technique. Chemical characterization of OPT nanofibers confirmed that cellulose content was increased after alkali and acid treatment. FTIR result demonstrated that chemical treatment also led to partial removal of hemicelluloses and lignin from the structure of the fibers. The structure of the cellulose was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Thermal Properties of PLA/Kenaf Green Nanocomposite: Effect of Chemi-Mechanical Treatment

This study was conducted to produce green composite from kenaf with better thermal properties. Kenaf fibre was successfully prepared by chemi-mechanical method. Kenaf fibre was firstly treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 6% w/w followed by acidic treatment with different concentrations (0.5M, 1.0M and 1.5M). The PLA/kenaf nanofibre composites were referred as KC0.5, KC1.0 and KC1.5 according to acid concentration used. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was done to investigate thermal properties of the composites. The glass transition, crystallization and melting temperature shows similar trend where 1.0M treated fibre composites gives better thermal properties than 0.5M and 1.5M treated fibre composites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs suggested the nanofibre dispersion in mixed-pattern; exfoliation and small agglomeration.

Thermal Stability of Plasticized Durian Skin Fibre Biocomposite

Packaging is an essential component in food industries. Packaging protects food from spoilage between processing and usage by the consumer. In this study, biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with durian skin fibre (DSF) were prepared by extrusion and compression moulding. Epoxidized palm oil (EPO) was added into PLA/DSF biocomposite as a plasticizer. The results showed that the thermal stability of PLA/DSF biocomposite with EPO has not much difference compared to without EPO. The degradation time of PLA/DSF biocomposite also faster after it was disposed to the landfill as it took around 65 days to degrade. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the stability of EPO where the oxirane group of EPO existed in the PLA/DSF biocomposite. Therefore, PLA/DSF biocomposite with addition of EPO can be effectively used for food packaging application.

Mechanical properties of toughened polyester reinforced with untreated and treated kenaf hybird carbon composite

This research focusing on mechanical properties of rubber toughened polyester filled carbon black (RPCB) reinforced with untreated kenaf (RPCBUK) and treated kenaf (RPCBTK). The samples were fabricated via compression moulding technique in which 3 % of LNR was added as toughening agent in this composite. Percentages of carbon black (CB) is 4 % and kenaf used vary from 5,10,15,20 and 25wt %. The mechanical properties were evaluated by impact and fracture toughness testing. The result for each test was discussed to determine the most optimum loading of kenaf fibre used to produce the best properties of composite. Untreated hybrid composite showed improvement on impact strength as compared to RPCB composite. RPCBTK with 25% of kenaf and RPCBUK with 5% of kenaf loading give the highest impact strength among the hybrid composites, approaching the strength of neat polyester. Same trend shows by fracture toughness testing. The microstructures of the composites’ fracture surface images from scanning electron microscope (SEM) prove the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites.

Performance Properties of Irradiated Recycled Polypropylene as a Compatibilizer in Recycled Polypropylene/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites

Effects of irradiated rPP compatibilizer, on the mechanical and thermal properties of recycled polypropylene/microcrystalline cellulose composites (rPP/MCC), are investigated. rPP is irradiated with an electron beam at dosages ranging from 10, 20, 30 to 50kGy. A matrix, containing of unirradiated and irradiated rPP (50:50 by ratio), is then added to 5, 20 and 40wt% MCC fibres. The composites are prepared using a twin screw extruder, followed by injection moulding. The properties are then characterized using tensile and thermal degradation tests. The improvement of Young’s modulus by up to about 45% suggests a compatibilising effect of the irradiated rPP. Fracture surface observations reveal an adhesion between rPP matrix and MCC fibres. However, the thermal stability deteriorated with the addition of MCC and irradiated rPP.

Thermal analysis of kenaf sandwich panel

The introduction of the eco-core sandwich panel composite is contributing a new approach to the designer to achieve high performance and light weight. In this research project, the new kenaf eco-core sandwich panel will be developed and then laminated with galvanized steel. The final goal is to find the optimum eco-core metal matrix composite sandwich structure with maximum mechanical properties such as stiffness and buckling. Kenaf eco-core sandwich will be fabricated and study on the interaction between eco-core sandwich panel and metal faces will be performed. The characterization of the eco-core sandwich panel will be done using different analytical tools. This study would provide a way to enhance the application of this new eco-core metal matrix composite sandwich structure.The amount of sample used was approximately 12 mg. The temperature profile was from 27°C to 1000°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min. In this study, result shows that degradation of composites starts to occur at about 180°C. Increasing the kenaf percent ratio will decrease the percent residue.

Polyester/kenaf composite; effect of matrix modification

Rubber toughened polyester-kenaf composite were prepared by adding various percentage of kenaf fiber in unsaturated polyester resin and subsequently cross linked using methyl ethyl ketone peroxide and accelerator cobalt octanoate 1 %. 3 per hundred rubbers (phr) of liquid natural rubber (LNR) were also added to modify the matrix in producing this composite. The mechanical properties of composite were characterized using Izod impact test, fracture toughness test, three point bending test and morphological analysis using SEM. Result shows that addition of LNR has improved mechanical properties significantly compare to composite without addition of LNR. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of kenaf composite revealed the good adhesion of kenaf and matrix poyester in rubber toughened composite.