Preparation and charaterization of kenaf fiber reinforced MWCNTS-Epoxy multi-scale composites

Tew, Huei Theng (2016) Preparation and charaterization of kenaf fiber reinforced MWCNTS-Epoxy multi-scale composites. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Natural fibre have high strength properties that can be used to replace synthetic fibre materials. Therefore, there are many researchers used natural fibre as a reinforcement in fabricating a high strength composite. Furthermore, there are many researches about nanocomposite and natural fibre based composite, but there is little research that combine the natural fibre and nanoparticles in fabricating the composites. Thus, this research was carried out to develop a kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy/MWCNTs multi-scale composite. The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-scale composite system by incorporating kenaf fibre as the reinforcement filler and epoxy/MWCNTs as their matrix resin. The multi-scaled composite were produced by using a combination of hand lay-up technique and then followed by the vacuum bagging process, to enhance the properties of produced composites. The selection of optimum composition of epoxy-MWCNTs matrix resin are based on the MWCNT loading. Therefore, in this study, different loading of MWCNTs (0 %, 0.5 %. 1 %. 3 %, 5 %) were used to investigate the mechanical properties, thermal properties as well as physical properties of produced multi-scale composites. Later, the fracture surface morphology of the selected samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. At the end of this study, higher strength and thermal performance of multi-scale composites were developed and proposed. The 1.00 wt. % of MWCNTs added to the epoxy were successfully enhanced the mechanical characteristic of kenaf fibre woven mat, in term of their tensile, flexural and the fracture toughness behaviour. This, scenario was also applicable to the thermal properties improvement. Multi-scaled hybrid composites of epoxy-kenaf with 1.00 wt. % MWCNTs inclusion yielded extraordinary improvement about 15.54 % in the tensile strength, 63.63 % of flexural strength and 90.54 % of fracture toughness. Other than that, MWCNTs addition was significantly improved the thermo mechanical and thermal properties. Tg improved by 33.47 % and thermal stability by TGA yielded about 25.25 % residue, with 7.00 wt. % of MWCNTs. This research is significantly important to be carried out as to provide another alternative for advanced materials that utilizing the advantage of nanotechnology for many possible high performance applications like in an automotive, aerospace and maritime fields.

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