The effects of alkali-silane treatment on the tensile and flexural properties of short fibre non-woven kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites.
Date
2012-09
Authors
Asumani, O.M.L.
Reid, R.G.
Paskaramoorthy, R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Kenaf fibre reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured by compression moulding. The kenaf fibre was considered in three forms; untreated, treated with sodium hydroxide solution and treated with sodium hydroxide solution followed by three-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The effects of these chemical treatments on the tensile and flexural properties of the composites were investigated. Mechanical test results show that alkali treatment followed by three-aminopropyltriethoxysilane treatment (alkali-silane treatment) significantly improves the tensile and flexural properties of short fibre non-woven kenaf polypropylene composites. In particular, the specific tensile and flexural strengths of alkali-silane treated kenaf composites with 30% fibre mass fraction are, respectively, only 4% and 11% lower than those of composites made using glass fibre. Scanning electron microscopy examination shows that the improvements in the tensile and flexural properties resulting from alkali-silane treatment can be attributed to better bonding between the fibres and matrix.
Description
Keywords
Kenaf fibre, Alkali treatment, Chemical treatments, B. Fibre/matrix bond, D. Mechanical testing, E. Surface treatmen, Flexural properties, Sodium hydroxide solutions
Citation
Asumani, O. M. L., Reid, R. G. and Paskaramoorthy, R. 2012. The effects of alkali-silane treatment on the tensile and flexural properties of short fibre non-woven kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 43(9), pp. 1431-1440. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.04.007