Studies on tensile and water absorption properties on kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus) fibre mat/polyester composite using chemical treatment

• Published in: Applied Mechanics and Materials
• Main Author: Taib M.N.A.M.; Kassim M.A.; Ariffjamaludin M.; Ismail T.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84886259219&doi=10.4028%2fwww.scientific.net%2fAMM.421.290&partnerID=40&md5=1932e6e3525af04328cd669c6964d77f

This research investigated the tensile and water absorption properties of kenaf fibre mat/polyester composites. Treatment using acetylation method has been introduced to improve the properties of product manufactured. The effects of acetylation treatment with three variations of time that were 1, 4 and 24 hours on the kenaf fibre mats were investigated. The MOE of the tensile of treated fibre mat/polyester composite for 1 hour was the highest with value 4589.61 MPa. The tensile strength of treated fibre mat/polyester composite for 4 hours was the highest with value 0.6213 MPa. For water absorption test, the results showed that fibre mat/polyester composite with treatment duration for 1 hour had the lowest water absorption that was 1.23% compared with treatment duration for 4 hours and 24 hours. For overall it can be concluded that the treatment duration of 1 hour was recommended for acetylation method when compared with 4 hours and 24 hours duration treatments. Using acetylation treatment on the kenaf fibre mat/polyester composites was showed improvement on composite and was recommended in short duration of treatment. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.