Effects of Processing Temperature and Chemical Treatment on Tensile Strength of Kenaf Fiber - Reinforced Polypropylene Waste Composites

摘要

In this research, the influence of processing temperatures and fiber chemical treatments to mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) waste - kenaf fiber composites was investigated. Results from experimental and theoretical calculation of composite tensile strength were compared. The composites were made of PP wastes and unidirectional kenaf fiber, and manufactured by hot press molding. The processing temperature variations were 175 °C, 185°C and 195 °C. The chemical treatment used were alkaline and permanganate treatment. Kenaf fiber - PP composites were successfully made with the void volume fraction less than 5%, maximum fiber volume fraction 48% and maximum longitudinal tensile strength 110 MPa or 238% higher than PP's strength. For non-and alkali treated fiber composites, 185°C was the optimum processing temperature. Elevated processing temperature up to 195°C could decrease composite strength due to the degradation of fiber-matrix interface. The effect of permanganate treatment did not significantly affect the composites strength. However, the improvement of interfacial properties at elevated temperature was found by the use of permanganate treatment.