Mechanical Properties of Short Fiber and Non-Woven Kenaf Reinforced Polypropylene Composites: Effects of Oil Palm Shell Powder Addition

• Published in: Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 815; pp. 111 - 115
• Main Authors: Abd Manaf, Mohd Edeerozey, Hussain, Muhammad Syafiq Mohd, Maslamany, Loganarrth, Abd Latif, Mohd Abrar, Mohamad, Noraiham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zurich Trans Tech Publications Ltd 30.11.2015
• Subjects: Automobile industry; Automobiles; Automotive engineering; Automotive parts; Crashworthiness; Elongation; Fiber composites; Hot pressing; Impact strength; Kenaf; Manufacturing; Mechanical properties; Polymer matrix composites; Polypropylene; Short fibers; Oil Palm Shell; Polypropylene Composite; Kenaf Fiber
• ISBN: 303835676X; 9783038356769
• ISSN: 1660-9336; 1662-7482; 1662-7482
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.815.111

Kenaf is renowned for its renewable and environmental friendly properties. Recently, there is an interest on the application of kenaf-based material for high-end uses such as in the automotive industry. In this study, the effects of oil palm shell powder (OPSP) addition on the mechanical properties of kenaf reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are investigated. Two types of kenaf are used in this study, i.e., non-woven and short fiber. For the former, the composites are fabricated by hot pressing a non-woven kenaf sheet sandwiched by thin PP sheets which have been mixed beforehand with OPSP by using internal mixer. For the latter, kenaf short fibers are mixed with OPSP using internal mixer, then compression molded by using hot press. In general, addition of OPSP was effective to improve the mechanical properties of non-woven kenaf reinforced PP composites, while the kenaf short fiber reinforced PP showed varied results. Composites reinforced with non-woven kenaf showed a larger increase in tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength with the OPSP addition than those reinforced by kenaf short fibers.