Fabrication Of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite By Using Vacuum Infusion Technique

Siti Rohani, Shafie (2009) Fabrication Of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite By Using Vacuum Infusion Technique. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study and analyze mechanical properties and physical properties of kenaf fiber reinforced polyester composite. The problem that is facing by the researchers and manufactures is to apply the advantages of natural fiber that will use for polymer composite which is has a good potential to substitute fibreglass and other synthetic fibers that are currently used. The techniques that are used to fabricate the composite in this study are vacuum infusion process and hand lay up process. Mechanical and physical properties of the composites that fabricate by both processes are comparing by using tensile testing, flexural testing, impact testing, and water absorption testing. Besides, the morphology of composites is observed by using scanning electron microscope. The composite composition that fabricated is pure polyester, 10 wt. % kenaf fiber, 20 wt. % kenaf fiber, and 25 wt. % kenaf fiber. The 100 wt. % polyester is fabricated by using hand lay up process, while others compositions are fabricated with hand lay up process and vacuum infusion process. Based on the result, it shows that at composition 10 wt. % kenaf fibers that fabricate by using vacuum infusion, the flexural strength and impact strength are the highest. While, the highest weights gain composition is 25 wt. % kenaf fibers. Its means that composite that fabricate by using vacuum infusion process is lightweight, high flexural strength, high impact strength, reduce using of resin, low water absorption, and reduce the air trap during the fabrication process. As a conclusion, the best method to fabricate the composite is by using vacuum infusion process based on the mechanical and physical testing analysis.

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