Search

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Manufacturing hybrid composites using polyethylene (PE) matrix is the main focus of this present research. Physico-mechanical testing of betel nut and glass fiber-reinforced hybrid composites was subsequently performed. Random orientation and short fiber-reinforced composite was manufactured using a hot press machine for 80% PE-20% fiber at a ratio of betel nut and glass fiber 1:3, found from previous research. Therefore, the effect of nanofiller on that ratio was mainly explored in this research. As a result, more samples were fabricated by the addition of titanium oxide and zeolite nanopowder as a nanofiller for this fiber ratio of betel nut and glass 1:3 by keeping the fiber short with random orientation. The fabricated composites were characterized based on mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR). FTIR analysis ensured the presence of nanopowder and –OH group in the respective composites. Therefore, the addition of titanium oxide nanopowder enhanced all mechanical properties of the composites, except % elongation at break. SEM analysis revealed better interfacial bonding and uniform dispersion of nanofiller in the PE matrix. Composites containing betel nut and glass at a ratio of 1:3 with titanium oxide nanopowder would provide the optimum set of mechanical properties among all fabricated hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research focuses on manufacturing hybrid composites using polyethylene matrix. Physico-mechanical testing of betel nut and glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites were subsequently conducted. Effect of alkali treatment of fiber was also explored. Firstly, composites were manufactured using a hot press machine for fixed 20% fiber loading. Betel nut and glass fiber ratio's were varied at 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3. The fabricated composites were characterized based on mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. Mechanical properties of fabricated hybrid composites enhanced significantly with increase in glass fiber content except for impact properties whereas it was reduced. Later, treated betel nut-glass fiber at a ratio of 1:3 was used to fabricate another sample. FTIR analysis reported that alkaline treatment of betel nut fiber transformed hydrophilic -OH groups of raw betel nut fiber into hydrophobic -O−Na groups and eliminated hemicellulose and lignin content of that fiber. Therefore, alkali treatment enhanced all mechanical properties of the composites. SEM analysis revealed better interfacial bonding between the treated fiber and PE due to alkaline treatment. Composites containing treated betel nut and glass at a ratio of 1:3 would provide the optimum set of mechanical properties among all fabricated hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an investigation done on the mechanical properties of betel nut-glass fibre reinforced hybrid polyethylene composites by varying the fibre loading and ratio. By using the hot press method with four levels of fibre loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%), different composites were manufactured. For the 20 wt% fibre-loaded composites, the fibre ratio was also varied (betel nut:glass = 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis and tensile, flexural and hardness tests were conducted for the characterisation of the composites. The FTIR analysis indicated the presence of hemicelluloses, lignin and moisture content in the prepared composites, which are liable to decrease tensile strength. As a result, the tensile strength decreased but Young's modulus increased with fibre loading. On the other hand, flexural strength, flexural modulus and hardness increased with fibre loading. SEM analysis revealed the morphological characteristics of the fibre-polyethylene matrix. Above all, the composite containing 20 wt% fibre at a 1:3 ratio of betel nut and glass showed the highest mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and hardness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]