Suhad D. Salman

Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Woven Kenaf/Polymer Composites Produced Using a Vacuum Infusion Technique

Nowadays, due to renewable issues, environmental concerns, and the financial problems of synthetic fibres, the development of high-performance engineering products made from natural resources is increasing all over the world. Lately, kenaf fibre has been used among many different types of natural resources in various shapes. Unidirectional long fibres or randomly oriented short fibre shapes are the most common type of kenaf fibres that have been investigated in previous works. This work characterises and evaluates the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of plain woven kenaf fabric and its composites with three types of thermoset resin at 0°/90° and 45°/−45° orientation, in order to assess their suitability as lignocellulosic reinforced polymer composites. A vacuum infusion manufacturing technique was used to prepare the specimens with fibre weight content of 35% ± 2%. Eight specimens were prepared for each test, and five replications were adopted. A total of 78 samples were tested in this study. The results show that the composites with 0°/90° had the highest tensile, flexural strengths, and modulus. The morphological properties of composite samples were analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and these clearly demonstrated the better interfacial adhesion between the woven kenaf and the epoxy matrix.

Influence of Fiber Content on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Woven Kenaf Reinforced PVB Film Produced Using a Hot Press Technique

This work addresses the results of experimental investigation carried out on mechanical and morphological properties of plain woven kenaf fiber reinforced PVB film which was prepared by hot press technique. The composites were prepared with various fiber contents: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% (by weight), with the processing parameters 165°C, 20 min, and at a pressure of 8 MPa applied on the material. Tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact properties were studied as well as morphological properties of impact fracture surface. With the increase in kenaf fibers content up to 40%, the PVB composites have shown lower tensile and flexural strength accompanied with reduction in the ultimate strain of the composite. The results showed that impact properties were affected in markedly different ways by using various kenaf contents and decrease with the increase in kenaf fiber content up to 40%; however, high impact strength was observed even with 40% kenaf fiber content. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy for impact samples was utilised to demonstrate the different failures in the fracture surfaces for various kenaf fibers contents.

Effect of kenaf fibers on trauma penetration depth and ballistic impact resistance for laminated composites

Combat helmets have been utilized to provide protection against a variety of ballistic threats, by reducing traumatic head injuries and fatalities. Nevertheless, head protection from injury is critical to function and for survivability. Soldiers and civilians incur Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) most commonly from exposure to homemade bombs or improvised explosive devices. Although the Personal Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet is expensive, environmental issues are some technical advantages that encourage using natural/synthetic hybrid laminated composites. The effects of different configuration patterns of kenaf fibers on the Backface Signature and energy absorbed by a military helmet (PASGT) were investigated. The ballistic behaviors of the 19 layers of aramid composite and plain woven kenaf composite were compared to hybrid laminated composites. The ballistic impact tests were performed using a 9 mm full metal jacket bullet and fragment simulating projectiles at various impact velocities, using a powder gun on fabricated square panels and helmets. The results showed the positive effect of hybridization in terms of energy absorbed (i.e. penetration), Backface Signature and damage mechanisms for ballistic impact and NIJ (National Institute of Justice) tests. Hybridization of plain woven kenaf/Kevlar laminated composites will open new avenues to reduce the dependency on the ballistic resistance component (Kevlar) in the helmet shell.

Influence of resin system on the energy absorption capability and morphological properties of plain woven kenaf composites

Due to both environmental and technical advantages, natural fibers are being used as reinforcement of polymeric composite in many industries. The flexibility of the most natural fibers is one of the important technical characteristic which allows them to resist impact forces. An investigation was carried out to compare the energy absorption capability of kenaf/PVB film and kenaf/epoxy composites. The hot and cold press techniques were used to fabricate the specimens with 35% kenaf fibre weight fraction. The charpy impact test was performed on forty notched specimens using a pendulum impact tester with different hammer energy. The results showed that the kenaf/PVB film composite has the highest energy absorption, strength and toughness compared with the epoxy composite. At high energy levels, the impact strength and toughness of the kenaf/PVB film was six times of kenaf/epoxy composite. In addition, the scanning electron microscopy was assessed to demonstrate the different failure in fracture surfaces. It was found that the kenaf/PVB film composite failed by fibre fracture while kenaf/epoxy composite failed by a combination of fibre pull-out and fibre fracture as well as crack propagations through the matrix.

Physical, Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Poly Vinyl Butyral and Its Hybrid Composites

Abstract Recently, the use of poly vinyl butyral (PVB) in the various sectors has increased widely due to its good adhesion and readiness to be used with various manufacturing processes. In this chapter, physical, mechanical, and ballistic properties of plain woven kenaf fabric properties reinforced PVB composites and its hybrid were experimentally determined. The results show that the PVB composites possess good strength and are good candidates for reinforcement material in many applications.

Quasi-static penetration behavior of plain woven kenaf/aramid reinforced polyvinyl butyral hybrid laminates

Owing to the high cost of synthetic aramid fibers and the necessity for environmentally friendly alternatives, a portion of aramid was replaced by plain woven kenaf fiber, with different lay arrangements and thicknesses. The obtained hybrid composites with aramid and kenaf fibers were used to produce prototypes of army helmet shells. A hybrid composite material was produced using a hot press technique and comprises 19 layers of plain woven kenaf and aramid of various configurations and alternation. The behavior of this composite material on a quasi-static penetration test was studied and was found positive in terms of maximum load carried, energy absorbed in impact, and damage mechanisms. Consequently, a helmet armour was developed that was less costly and more readily available and that which could also be produced by reducing the potential harmful effects of petroleum products, without compromising the ballistic-resistant capability of the material.