Development of kenaf as the reinforcement in polymer matrix for high impact composite

Abstract

The polymeric bio-composite material is a material constituent a polymeric matrix (resin) and reinforcement of natural fibers which are usually derived from plants or cellulose. The objectives for this study are to study on the impact properties and flexural properties of the polymeric composite. The bio-material material that used to fabricate the specimens was based on commercially available unsaturated polyester, kenaf fibre from kenaf plant. Besides that, the fibre that used will treated with alkali treatment with various concentrations such as 3%, 6?? and 9% NaOH but with same soaking times that is 12 hours. For tile manufacturing process, the kenaf , polyester is prepared by using Resin Infusion Process (RIP) with Several equipments and tools. 5 pieces specimens of each testing were tested with flexural and impact machine. Following by that, the morphology of the surface fracture is investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Based on this finding, the flexural properties was increasing gradually as the chemical concentration treatment in composite increased. It is observed that the flexural strength increased from 0.0251 GPa to 0.0934 GPa and flexural modulus increased from IP 2.298 GPa to 7.137 GPa respectively for untreatment fibre to 9% fibre. Lastly for the impact properties, the impact strength and impact modulus are indicated a rise from 3.57 kJ/m2 to 15.77 kJ/m2 as the fibre content increased from untreated to 6% concentration but decreased to 2.47 kJ/m2 when used 9% concentration treatment on kenaf fibre. This is because this natural fibre is considered oriented short fibre composites with strong cellulossic microfibres of different lengths.