The Study of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Thermal-Curing Process on Natural Fiber (Kenaf) Reinforced Thermoset Composite

Mohammad Iskandar, Seni (2007) The Study of Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Thermal-Curing Process on Natural Fiber (Kenaf) Reinforced Thermoset Composite. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

This paper contains the report of the study of mechanical properties and microstructure of thermal-curing process on natural fiber (kenaf) reinforced thermoset composite. The aims of this paperwork are to investigate the influence of the various exposure times and the various curing temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the unsaturated polyester resins/kenaf composite and also to find the optimum parameter of curing times and curing temperatures in order to produce good mechanical properties of polymeric-matrix composites. The specimens are been differentiate by the curing temperature and curing time. The curing temperatures are 50ºC, 70ºC and 100ºC. Meanwhile the curing times are 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The composition of the compound are 240g unsaturated polyester, 10g kenaf and 2.4g of catalyst. The mixture is then stirred using mixer at the speed of 500rpm. Before curing with heat, the specimen was put on the vacuum oven to suck out all the air bubble trapped in the specimen. For study purpose the specimen was tested with tensile test, impact test and hardness test. Besides that, the interfacial microstructure was also observed using the SEM. From the study, as the curing temperature and curing time increases, the mechanical properties of the specimen decreases. But exception can be made for specimen 5030 (which cured at 50ºC and 30 minutes) because this specific specimen gives the best result compared to the rest of the specimen and this also including the reference specimen which cured at ambient temperature.

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