Development of kenaf-glass reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite for structural applications

Published Date

January 2014, Vol.56:68–73, doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.019

Title 

Development of kenaf-glass reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite for structural applications

• Author 

• A. Atiqah ^a,,
• M.A. Maleque ^a,
• M. Jawaid ^b,
• M. Iqbal ^c,

• aDepartment of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyah of Engineering, International Islamic University of Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• bDepartment of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
• cPolymer Pilot Plant, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia

Received 26 November 2012. Revised 28 May 2013. Accepted 12 August 2013. Available online 22 August 2013.

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to develop kenaf-glass (KG) fibres reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite on a source of green composite using sheet moulding compound process. Unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) and KG fibres in mat form were used at a ratio of 70:30 (by volume) with treated and untreated kenaf fibre. The kenaf fibre was treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) diluted solution for 3 h using mercerization method. The hybrid composites were tested for flexural, tensile and Izod impact strength using ASTM D790-03, ASTM D618 and ASTM D256-04 standards respectively. The highest flexural, tensile and impact strength were obtained from treated kenaf with 15/15 v/v KG fibres reinforced UPE hybrid composite in this investigation.

Scanning electron microscopy fractography showed fibre cracking, debonding and fibre pulled-out as the main fracture mode of composites and kenaf treated 15/15 v/v KG reinforced hybrid composite exhibited better interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcement compared to other combinations.

Keywords

• A. Fibres
• A. Hybrid
• B. Debonding
• D. Fractography

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  Corresponding author. Tel.: +60 193704397.

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