Rheological Behaviour and Properties of Injection Moulded Oil Palm (Elaeis Gunineensis Jacq.) Empty Fruit Bunch Fibres/Polyproplene Composites)

The feasibility of processing composite prepared from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) /polypropylene (PP) using injection moulding was investigated. The physical! chemical, and thermal characteristics of EFB fibre were studied. The effects of fibre size, fibre content, levels of melt flow rate and various concentration of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical, physical, rheological and thermal properties of EFBIPP composites were studied. The effects of types and concentrations of reactive additives (RA) on the irradiated EFBlPP composites were also investigated especially to the rheological behaviour and dynamic mechanical thermal characteristics. The EFBlPP composites were prepared from thermomechanically pulped EFB fibre and PP resin. The internal mixer was used to mix and the injection moulding machine was employed to form the specimen accordance to the ASTM standards. Electron beam was used to irradiate the EFBIPP composite in order to investigate the effect on dynamic mechanical thermal properties and rheological behaviour. The rheological behaviour was studied using the rheostress viscometer and the results were compared to the melt flow index. Dynamic mechanical thermal properties were measured using a Triton model dynamic mechanical analyser. The EFB fibre size and fibre content significantly affected the mechanical and physical properties of EFBIPP composites. However the effect of type and concentration of MAPP only affected the tensile and shrinkage properties of the moulded composites. The rheology of PP showed pseudoplastic behaviour and the viscosity was constant at low shear rate. The changes in fibre size marked different viscosity condition with fine fibre showed viscosity curve away from the matrix curve particularly at very low shear rate. However the 0.1-0.2 mm fibre size revealed the viscosity trend close to the matrix. When MAPP additives were added in the EFBIPP composites the viscosity curve was changed depending on type and concentration level. 2 % of both types of MAPP produced slightly increase in viscosity but 6% of MAPP dropped down the viscosity. The irradiated EFBIPP significantly decrease the viscosity however the composites treated by trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA) showed increase in viscosity but decrease when hexanediol diacrylate or 1,6-hexadiol diacrylate (HDDA) was used.The dynamic mechanical thermal properties of EFBIPP composites showed that the storage modulus (E') decreases with increase in temperature. The E' also increases with increase in the fibre loading in the composite. However the E' was not affected by the fibre size. The EFBIPP composite showed the glass transition temperature (T,) of the composite was shifted to lower temperatures than the T, of the pure PP. The MAPP treatment resulted in a remarkable increase in E' and loss modulus (E"). However the damping property (tan 6) is less affected. Type of MAPP showed significant different with MAPP 'A' gives a better performance of E' compare than MAPP 'B'. The E' and E" increased with the addition of reactive additives compared to those without RA and the T, reduces to low temperature as compared to the irradiated EFBIPP without RA. The tan 6 for the irradiated EFBIPP with RAs also changed with the percentage of RA concentration

A review of non-destructive thermography techniques toward structural integrity of bio-composites

It is well known those two popular methods of testing; destructive testing based on fracture mechanics and non-destructive testing (NDT) which does not make any damage in the specimen. NDT was first used for military purpose but nowadays it is used widely in many fields such as composite materials, medical purposes, fire safety, laser welding, food safety and quality and characterization of materials. The aim of this paper is to review the recent advancement of thermography non-destructive methods especially in testing a quality of bio-composites materials. The review reveals the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing any of the available methods in NDT on bio composite materials

Pre preparation of kenaf/carbon PPL composite to be employed in selective laser sintering machine

Although many researchers have developed natural fibres as reinforcements for industrial composite materials, the available information regarding these natural fibres to be applicable in the Rapid Manufacturing (RM) system is insufficient. For RM systems and products, the main materials used are thermoplastic materials, epoxy resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic and polyester materials. Natural and biodegradable composites provide important environmental advantages to the automotive industry, and sustainability, eco-friendliness. Hence obtaining green chemistry materials for RM system are the main objectives of this study for the development of bio-based industrial materials. To obtain stronger products, hybridisation of these so-called natural fibres with other fibres is necessary. Bio-composites employ polymers as matrices, resulting in lighter, stronger, and more cost-effective products that in some cases they can be melted, sintered, or solidified, similar to RM systems’ environment. The combination of Kenafbast fibres, a type of natural fibre, with polymer matrices results in satisfactory performance that can compete with synthetic fibre composites. Prior to test the designed material in the aimed RM system; which in this research is Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), tailoring and predicting its performance is necessary to avoid any high cost breakdown of RM machine due to usage of inappropriate consumables. Hence the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of special features of RM on Kenaf/carbon hybrid composites by performing the compression moulding of it insimilar temperature and sequence of Rapid Manufacturing of this designed material. Assessing the resulted properties, by means of tensile and shear strengths of the end products were of reasonable values compared with carbon or Kenaf/polymer matrices. Further study to process the same material in actual Selective Laser Sintering machine is suggested to obtain more accurate result

Development of a green combat armour from rame-Kevlar-polyester composite

This study was conducted for the development of the green protection garments. For this purpose, laminate composite material was developed from Kevlar 29-ramie-unsaturated polyester resin. The aim of this study was to develop a solid body armour that meets the specific requirements of ballistic resistance. This composite is subjected to high impact loading. The target was shot using gas gun machine that is supported by camera hardware to capture the projectile speed. In order to achieve the goal of the research, several experiments were conducted with the aim to estimate the ballistic limit, maximum energy absorption, composite failure mode, life time rupture, target geometry, and environmental effect. The results of these experiments indicated that the maximum ballistic limit validated at impact speed is in the range of 250 m/s to 656.8 m/s for the second protection level. The targets are improved in term of the impact response with the increase in the relative humidity, i.e. the range of 50% ± 20%, whereas, reduction of resistance results in the increase of temperature. The range of temperatures was between 20°C and 70°C. A limited delamination was generated under multiple shots. Targets geometry plays a major role in increasing the impact response. Hence, the results present a high resistant impact for pairs from the panels with total thickness arrived to 15 mm ± 3 mm. This body armour is one of the most economical armour products, in which common materials are used in its production, particularly to reduce the amount of Kevlar, and this could further lead to a decrease in its production cost. On the other hand, this armour meets the ballistic threats under 623 m/s of 15 mm ± 3 mm target thickness and 837.5 m/s of 25 mm ± 2.mm. Thus, the armour is equivalent to the third level of protective ballistic limits in the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards

Development of green insulation boards from kenaf fibres and polyurethane

The purpose of this study was to develop effective green insulation boards fabricated from polyurethane (PU) reinforced with Kenaf fibres. Biocomposites having three different weight contents (40/60, 50/50 and 60/40 Kenaf/PU weight %) were manufactured. A fourth type was made from 60/40 NaOH-treated Kenaf/PU weight %. The results show that the elastic properties increased with Kenaf fibre content. The optimal performance was observed at a weight of 50% Kenaf fibres. Furthermore, the minimum water absorption percentage, thickness swelling, and changing in volume were recorded at a weight of 50% kenaf fibres

Development of a disaster action plan for hospitals in Malaysia pertaining to critical engineering infrastructure risk analysis

Critical engineering infrastructure (CEI) risk analysis is one of the tools used to measure potential risks in order to develop a disaster action plan (DAP). For hospitals, electricity and water supplies are two of the critical engineering infrastructures and when affected can become threats themselves. The objectives of this study are: i) to identify and analyse threats to water and electricity supplies, the threats being of high tendency to be realised during floods and socio-technical disasters; and ii) to review existing disaster action plans and subsequently develop a comprehensive one for water and electricity supplies and to be referred together with existing hospital DAPs. The HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control) guidelines provided by DOSH (Department of Occupation Safety and Health, Malaysia) were employed in the risk analysis process. This process was conducted through questionnaire surveys at several hospitals around Kota Bharu, Kuala Krai, Kajang, Serdang and Klang which have been hit by floods before. The survey involved 400 hospital and their concession company employees through interviews, meetings and workshop sessions. The development of the action plan followed the UNISDR guidance note on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Health Facilities and fulfilled the four phases of disaster management; mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Results of the analysis revealed that threats faced by the hospitals fall into four major categories; (i) submergence (ii) technical failure (iii) unpreparedness and (iv) unexpected events. The study also revealed that while the threats faced by Kota Bharu and Kuala Krai hospitals were of high risk those faced by Kajang, Serdang and Klang hospitals were mostly medium or low. Therefore, it is concluded that a comprehensive DAP based on the set objectives of ensuring continuous water and electricity supply and the enhancement of coordination among state health departments, hospital managements, concession companies and utility providers must be developed

Effects of process parameters on selected properties of liquid compression-molded vinyl ester sheets

Vinyl esters combine the best of polyesters and epoxies in terms of properties and processing. Without complicating presence of reinforcing fibres, this study investigated the effects of catalyst amount, preheating time, molding temperature, and pressure on flexural and water absorption properties of cast vinyl ester (VE) using a factorial experiment. Longer preheating time enhanced the stiffness of VE, while higher molding pressure reduced the flexural modulus. All the four factors did not affect the flexural strength and elongation at the break of molded VE significantly. Using a high molding pressure also caused molded VE to have higher water absorption for a long water exposure period. Meanwhile, greater water absorption at bigger amount of catalyst and higher preheating temperature indicate possible interactions between these factors. The results suggest possible negative effects of high molding pressure through the increase in the network of micro-cracks, and thus lowering the integrity of cast VE sheets. Judicious selection of the process parameters was required in order to obtain good quality molded VE sheets and by extension fibre-reinforced VE composites. Molded VE-unsaturated polyester (UP) blend is a significantly different material which is 1.49 times stronger, 2.38 times more flexible, but it is 0.69 less stiff than neat VE and with significantly higher water absorption. The results obtained warrant for a further investigation in process optimization of VE molding and the use of VE-UP blend as a matrix for natural fibre-reinforced composites

Selected properties of hand-laid and compression molded vinyl ester and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)-reinforced vinyl ester composites.

Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) are of little use in Malaysia despite being mechanically and environmentally sound. Untreated and bleached PALF were used to reinforce vinyl ester (VE) utilizing hand lay-up (HLU) and liquid compression molding (LCM). Mechanical properties, water absorption and thermal stability were compared to neat resin and glass fiber-reinforced VE. Adding PALF reduced machinability dramatically while generally enhancing VE mechanical properties. Bleached PALF improved fiber-matrix adhesion compared to untreated PALF. Molding resin and composites with pressure enhanced water resistance by 2 – 3 times. Water absorption increased with increasing PALF while bleached PALF somewhat decreased water absorption due to improved wetting. PALF slightly reduced VE thermal stability although enhancement is expected upon using bleached PALF. Molding pressure has no effect on thermal stability of VE and PALF-reinforced VE. This study indicated that PALF may be used to reinforce VE to produce composites utilizing LCM and inexpensive bleach pretreatment

Effect of fiber treatment on mechanical properties of kenaf fiber-ecoflex composites

The composite material based on whole stem kenaf fiber (WSK) and Ecoflex (biodegradable thermoplastic) were prepared by melt blending technique and characterized. The composites were prepared using different fiber loadings and the fiber was treated with various concentrations of NaOH solution by soaking for 3 h. The compounding of composite were carried out at different fiber loadings (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) using Brabender internal mixer at 130°C for 10 min. The composites were then pressed using compression molding to produce biodegradable kenaf/Ecoflex sheets. The effects of kenaf fiber loading and NaOH treatment of WSK fiber surface on mechanical properties was examined. The results showed that 40% fiber loading improved the tensile strength properties and WSK fiber treated with 4% NaOH was found to enhance tensile and flexural properties compared with untreated fiber. The FTIR characterization showed that alkali treatment removes hemicellulose and lignin from WSK kenaf fiber surface

Evaluation of physicochemical properties of Musa acuminate cv. Berangan at different ripening stages

The physicochemical properties of Musa Acuminata cv. Berangan at different ripening stages (1, 2 and 3) were evaluated in the study. A visual attribute such as colour usually leads to misclassification as it can be subjected to different individual interpretation. Therefore, various measurements were conducted to determine the relationship between ripening stages and physicochemical properties of the fruit such as colour, pH, total soluble solids content (TSS) and firmness. Results showed that there were significant changes in physicochemical properties as ripening stages increased. Results also indicated that the correlations between ripening stages and firmness and pH values were statistically significant compared to other parameters. These relationships can be used to predict the related quality attributes of Berangan bananas