Kenaf/polypropylene key chain product fabricated by injection moulding

• Published in: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
• Main Author: Koay M.H.; Salleh Z.; Masdek N.R.N.M.; Budin S.; Ngu A.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2019
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85077789256&doi=10.1088%2f1742-6596%2f1349%2f1%2f012047&partnerID=40&md5=f7eadb17e854e61ca861d8f2c0c2ca19

The natural fiber composites product becomes popular among the world to promote sustainable development. Unlike the synthetic fibers, natural fibers can absorb as much as the carbon dioxide to prevent the global warming happened. Natural fiber composites such as kenaf mixed with polypropylene, have been commercialized in automotive parts due to its lightweight ability which can improve the fuel efficiency. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of injection moulding temperature to the shrinkage and tensile properties of kenaf/polypropylene key chain product. The optimum weight fraction of 30 wt% kenaf and 70 wt% polypropylene was fabricated using different temperatures of the injection moulding process. The best physical appearance of the key chain was prepared at 180°C. The sample that was fabricated at 210°C has higher tensile stress and tensile modulus which are 12.48 MPa and 1.03 GPa, respectively. As a conclusion, the kenaf/polypropylene specimen prepared at 210 °C has better tensile strength and less shrinkage if compared to others. Brittleness due to voids formation was evident in the SEM image of the kenaf/polypropylene. By using the injection moulding process, a high volume of products could be produced in a very short time. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.