Properties of kenaf fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 composites

• Published in: e-Polymers Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 159 - 98
• Main Authors: Abdullah, Norihan, Abdan, Khalina, Roslim, Muhammad Huzaifah Mohd, Radzuan, Mohd Nazren, Shafi, Ayu Rafiqah, Hao, Lee Ching
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 26.03.2024; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: composites; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Flexural strength; Glass transition temperature; Impact strength; Kenaf; kenaf fiber; Loss modulus; mechanical; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; polyamide 6; Polyamide resins; properties; Stability analysis; Tensile strength; Thermal stability; Thermogravimetric analysis
• ISSN: 1618-7229; 2197-4586; 1618-7229
• DOI: 10.1515/epoly-2022-8112

Despite the increasing interest in polyamide-based composites, few studies on polyamide-based natural fiber composites have been conducted due to their high melting temperatures of polyamide 6 (PA6). In this study, kenaf fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 composites (KF/PA6) were successfully prepared and their properties were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the neat PA6 has higher thermal stability with higher melting temperatures of 426°C, respectively, than KF/PA6 composites. The results of the differential scanning calorimeter showed that the glass transition temperature ( ) of KF/PA6 composites was slightly shifted to a higher temperature at 59°C than that of the neat PA6 at 45°C. The thermal and mechanical characteristics using dynamic mechanical analysis results showed that the storage and loss modulus of the neat PA6 were higher than those of KF/PA6 composites. The neat PA6 showed the maximum tensile strength of 48 MPa; however, the maximum tensile modulus was obtained at 10 wt% KF with 2,100 MPa. The flexural strength and modulus of the neat PA6 were 91 and 2,506 MPa, respectively, which were higher than those of KF/PA6 composites. The impact strength also deteriorated with the addition of KF, from 3.72 to 1.91 kJ·m . Voids, fiber pulled-out, and agglomeration were observed in scanning electron microscope analysis on the tensile fractured surfaces.