Coir Fibres （CF） and Pineapple Leaf Fibres （PALF） are valuable natural fibres which are abundantly available in Malaysia as agricultural wastes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of alkali （6%）...Coir Fibres （CF） and Pineapple Leaf Fibres （PALF） are valuable natural fibres which are abundantly available in Malaysia as agricultural wastes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of alkali （6%）, silane （2%）, and calcium hydroxide （6%） on tensile, morphological, thermal, and structural properties of CF and PALF to improve their interfacial bonding with Polylactic Acid （PLA） matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to observe the effectiveness of the chemical treat- ments in the removal of impurities. Alkali treated fibres yield the lowest fibre diameter and the highest Interfacial Stress Strength （IFSS）. Thermogravimetric Analysis （TGA） shows improved thermal stability in silane treated CF and alkali treated PALF. It is assumed that fibre treatments can help to develop biodegradable CF and PALF reinforced PLA biocomposites for industrial applications.展开更多
This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modif...This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modified white and black cow hair biofibres as the reinforcing phase of composites. Alkaline solutions of varying molarities were used to prepare the chemical treatments in this present study. Tensile properties of the developed composites were evaluated based on molarities of chemical treatment and % fibre loading. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphologies of the fractured surfaces of composites. Obtained tensile test results revealed significant enhancement in the tensile properties of composites, with the optimum combination of tensile properties presented by 2 wt% white cow hair biofibre reinforcement treated with 0.15 M sodium hydroxide. Observations from the fractographic analysis of the developed composites revealed shearing of the polymer matrix at the fibre-matrix interface and no fibre pullout behaviour.展开更多
文摘Coir Fibres （CF） and Pineapple Leaf Fibres （PALF） are valuable natural fibres which are abundantly available in Malaysia as agricultural wastes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of alkali （6%）, silane （2%）, and calcium hydroxide （6%） on tensile, morphological, thermal, and structural properties of CF and PALF to improve their interfacial bonding with Polylactic Acid （PLA） matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to observe the effectiveness of the chemical treat- ments in the removal of impurities. Alkali treated fibres yield the lowest fibre diameter and the highest Interfacial Stress Strength （IFSS）. Thermogravimetric Analysis （TGA） shows improved thermal stability in silane treated CF and alkali treated PALF. It is assumed that fibre treatments can help to develop biodegradable CF and PALF reinforced PLA biocomposites for industrial applications.
文摘This research has investigated the tensile properties and fractography of animal fibre-reinforced low density polyethylene composites. The composites were synthesized by hot compression moulding using chemically modified white and black cow hair biofibres as the reinforcing phase of composites. Alkaline solutions of varying molarities were used to prepare the chemical treatments in this present study. Tensile properties of the developed composites were evaluated based on molarities of chemical treatment and % fibre loading. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphologies of the fractured surfaces of composites. Obtained tensile test results revealed significant enhancement in the tensile properties of composites, with the optimum combination of tensile properties presented by 2 wt% white cow hair biofibre reinforcement treated with 0.15 M sodium hydroxide. Observations from the fractographic analysis of the developed composites revealed shearing of the polymer matrix at the fibre-matrix interface and no fibre pullout behaviour.
