Kenaf natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: A discussion on manufacturing problems and solutions

Published Date
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
June 2007, Vol.38(6):1569–1580, doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2007.01.001

• Author 

• M. Zampaloni ^b,,
• F. Pourboghrat ^a
• S.A. Yankovich ^a
• B.N. Rodgers ^a
• J. Moore ^a
• L.T. Drzal ^b
• A.K. Mohanty ^c
• M. Misra ^b

• aDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, 2555 Engineering Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
• bComposite Materials and Structures Center, 2100 Engineering Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
• cSchool of Packaging, 130 Packaging Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Received 26 January 2006. Revised 20 December 2006. Accepted 1 January 2007. Available online 15 January 2007. 

Abstract

As industry attempts to lessen the dependence on petroleum based fuels and products there is an increasing need to investigate more environmentally friendly, sustainable materials to replace existing materials. This study focused on the fabrication of kenaf fiber reinforced polypropylene sheets that could be thermoformed for a wide variety of applications with properties that are comparable to existing synthetic composites. The research done in this study has proven the ability to successfully fabricate kenaf–polypropylene natural fiber composites into sheet form. The optimal fabrication method for these materials was determined to be a compression molding process utilizing a layered sifting of a microfine polypropylene powder and chopped kenaf fibers. A fiber content of both 30% and 40% by weight has been proven to provide adequate reinforcement to increase the strength of the polypropylene powder. The use of a coupling agent, 3% Epolene enabled successful fiber–matrix adhesion. The kenaf–PP composites compression molded in this study proved to have superior tensile and flexural strength when compared to other compression molded natural fiber composites such as other kenaf, sisal, and coir reinforced thermoplastics. With the elastic modulus data from testing, it was also possible to compare the economic benefits of using this kenaf composite over other natural fibers and E-glass. The kenaf–maleated polypropylene composites manufactured in this study have a higher Modulus/Cost and a higher specific modulus than sisal, coir, and even E-glass thereby providing an opportunity for replacing existing materials with a higher strength, lower cost alternative that is environmentally friendly.

Keywords

E. Compression moulding

E. Thermoplastic resin

E. Forming

---

 Table 1

Table 1.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

 Table 2

Table 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

 Table 3

Table 3.

 Table 4

Table 4.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 9.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 11.

 Table 5

Table 5.

 Table 6

Table 6.

Fig. 12.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 517 432 4939; fax: +1 517 353 1750.
  
  

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X07000048