Norshahida Sarifuddin

Influence of Halloysite Nanotubes Hybridized with Kenaf Core Fibers on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Sago Starch Blends

In this work, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were hybridized with kenaf core fibers (KCF) to reinforce low density polyethylene (LDPE)/thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) blends. The effects of HNT loading (3–15 wt.%) on the mechanical and physical properties were examined. The results showed an enhancement in tensile strength and modulus with the inclusion of HNTs. Formation of FTIR bands that are assigned to Al-OH and Si-O vibrations indicated the presence of HNTs in the system. Moreover, the thermal stability of hybrid composites was improved with the addition of HNTs. Water uptake decreased as higher amount of HNTs imparted to the hybrid composites.

Studies of properties and characteristics of low-density polyethylene/thermoplastic sago starch-reinforced kenaf core fiber composites

The disposal problems associated with the conventional plastic have imposed a long-standing quest of developing the degradable material. Indeed, blending of conventional plastic with renewable resources as the base materials is an attempt of imparting some level of biodegradability on the resulting composites. Thus, for this study, the effect of plasticized sago starch (plasticized) incorporation on the properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-reinforced with kenaf core fiber (KCF) was evaluated. The ratio of LDPE/KCF was fixed at 80/20 and blended with the thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) content ranging from 10 to 40 wt%. The blended samples were characterized by means of mechanical performance, Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry behavior, water uptake, and morphological properties. The experimental result shows that there is a gradual decrease in tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break with an increase in TPSS loading. The degree of dispersion and adhesion of TPSS in LDPE/KCF composites revealed by scanning electron micrograph supports the findings of tensile properties. The thermal stability of the composite was clearly improved with the addition of TPSS. However, water uptake and hydrophilic character of the composite system tended to augment as the TPSS imparted to the composites.

Incorporation of Kenaf Core Fibers into Low Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Sago Starch Blends Exposed to Natural Weathering

The landfill disposal of a high volume of plastics that take a long time to decompose has led to a tremendous environmental problem. Incorporation of natural polymers and fibers into synthetic polymers accelerates the degradation rate by exposure to atmospheric agents such as sunlight, temperature and rainfall. In this work, thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) and kenaf core fibers (KCF) from agricultural feed stocks were blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE) for natural weathering studies. The melt-mixed and compressed composite sheets had fiber loadings ranging from 0 to 40 wt.%, and were exposed to natural weathering conditions for a period of 3 and 6 months. The deterioration in mechanical, thermal, morphological and weight properties were investigated.

Physical properties of heat-treated rattan waste binderless particleboard

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the properties of binderless particleboard (BPB) fabricated via hot-pressing process with pressing temperature, pressing time and pressing pressure of 180°C, 5 minutes and 1 MPa, respectively. The fabricated BPB with density in the range of 0.8-0.95g cm-3 was heated in a temperature-controlled laboratory chamber at 80°C, 120°C and 160°C for period of 2 and 8 hours before underwent physical observation, mass loss measurement and thickness swelling test. The samples had remarkable color changes, mainly with samples of treatment temperature of 160˚C, where the color differences were 9.5 and 20.3. This changed the fabricated BPB samples from yellowish brown to dark brown color when treatment conditions increased. Darker color indicates greater mass loss due to severity of chemical component in the powder. Dimensional stability of fabricated BPB was improved with higher treatment temperature as more cellulose cross-linked and hemicellulose degraded that removed the hygroscopicity behavior of powder. These results revealed that heat treatment helped in improving the BPB physical properties, particularly in dimensional stability of boards.The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the properties of binderless particleboard (BPB) fabricated via hot-pressing process with pressing temperature, pressing time and pressing pressure of 180°C, 5 minutes and 1 MPa, respectively. The fabricated BPB with density in the range of 0.8-0.95g cm-3 was heated in a temperature-controlled laboratory chamber at 80°C, 120°C and 160°C for period of 2 and 8 hours before underwent physical observation, mass loss measurement and thickness swelling test. The samples had remarkable color changes, mainly with samples of treatment temperature of 160˚C, where the color differences were 9.5 and 20.3. This changed the fabricated BPB samples from yellowish brown to dark brown color when treatment conditions increased. Darker color indicates greater mass loss due to severity of chemical component in the powder. Dimensional stability of fabricated BPB was improved with higher treatment temperature as more cellulose cross-linked and hemice...

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Thermoplastic Sago Starch (TPSS) Blend Filled with Kenaf Core Fiber (KCF)

Recently, blending of common hydrocarbon polymer with natural based materials has gain much interest towards the development of degradable composite. In this study, a series of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/thermoplastic sago starch (TPSS) blend reinforced with kenaf core fiber (KCF) with starch content ranging from 10 to 40 % were prepared via melt-blending method. For this study, kenaf loading was fixed at 20 % (by weight). The blended samples were characterized by means of tensile test and morphological study. The experimental result shows that there is a gradual decrease in tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break with increase in starch loading. The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) supports the findings of tensile properties.

EFFECT OF FIBER LENGTH VARIATIONS ON PROPERTIES OF COIR FIBER REINFORCED CEMENT-ALBUMEN COMPOSITE (CFRCC)

This paper evaluated the effect of fiber length on the mechanical and physical performance of coir fiber reinforced cement-albumen composites (CFRCC). Albumen protein was added as a binder and the coir fibers with the lengths of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mm was used as partial replacement of the cement mixture. Flexural and compressive strength, bulk density, moisture content and water absorption were investigated. The experimental investigations reveal that increasing in length of fiber augment the flexural strength. Incorporation of long fiber into the cement paste however, decreased the workability and thus introduced voids which results in low density. In fact, the water absorption and moisture content were also increased.