Improving Tensile Properties of Kenaf Fibers Treated with Sodium Hydroxide

Published Date

2012, Vol.41:1587–1592, doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.07.354

International Symposium on Robotics and Intelligent Sensors 2012 (IRIS 2012)

Open Access, Creative Commons license

Title 

Improving Tensile Properties of Kenaf Fibers Treated with Sodium Hydroxide

• Author 

• Mohd Suhairil Meon ^,
• Muhamad Fauzi Othman
• Hazran Husain
• Muhammad Fairuz Remeli
• Mohd Syahar Mohd Syawal

• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

Available online 25 August 2012.

Abstract

The study on kenaf short fibers compounded with MAPP/MAPE was successfully conducted. Kenaf has potential reinforced fiber in thermosets and thermoplastics composites. Basically, to produce the new type of composite, this project utilized short Kenaf fiber as the main material. The fiber is soaked with 3%, 6% and 9% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for a day and then dried at 80¡C for 24 hours. The composition of short Kenaf used is 100 grams. Two set of combination were produced; combination between kenaf fiber and MAPP as well as kenaf fiber together with MAPE. The fabrication processes started when the mixture is poured into the mould and it is compacted until it perfectly fulfilled the mould. The mixture took about one to two hours to completely dry. The specimens then were cut into standard dimension according to ISO 5275. MAPP and MAPE were used to improve the matrix-filler interaction and tensile properties of the composites. It has been found that the tensile properties of the treated kenaf fibers have improved significantly as compared to untreated kenaf fibers especially at the optimum level of 6% NaOH.

Keywords

Short kenaf fibers

maleated polyetylene (MAPE)

maleated polypropylene (MAPP)

sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

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