1. Kenaf Composites for Automotive Components: Enhancement in Machinability and Moldability
- Author
-
Nur Farhani Ismail, Norhamidi Muhamad, Mohd Khairul Fadzly Md Radzi, Abu Bakar Sulong, Izdihar Binti Tharizi, Zakaria Razak, Che Hassan Che Haron, and Nabilah Afiqah Mohd Radzuan
- Subjects
Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,Machinability ,Thermosetting polymer ,02 engineering and technology ,mechanical properties ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Flexural strength ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,Ultimate tensile strength ,compression moulding ,Composite material ,Polypropylene ,biology ,Izod impact strength test ,General Chemistry ,Epoxy ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,biology.organism_classification ,Kenaf ,0104 chemical sciences ,chemistry ,mechanical testing ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,0210 nano-technology ,fiber/matrix bond - Abstract
To date, the mechanical performance of kenaf composites is still unsatisfied in term of its mechanical performance. Therefore, research focuses on kenaf composites fabrication through the selection of polymer resin, including epoxy, polypropylene, and polylactic acid. The incorporated kenaf fibre at 10 wt % to 40 wt % loadings was conducted using injection and a compression moulding process. The compressed materials indicated high tensile strength at 240 MPa compared to inject materials (60 MPa). Significant improvement on impact strength (9 kJ/m2) was due to the unpulled-out fibre that dispersed homogenously and hence minimize the microcrack acquire. Meanwhile, high flexural strength (180 MPa) obtained by kenaf/epoxy composites due to the fibre orientate perpendicular to the loading directions, which improve its mechanical properties. The findings indicate that the kenaf fibre reinforced thermoset materials exhibit better mechanical properties as a function to the battery tray applications.
- Published
- 2019