Effects of Impregnation Pressure on Physical and Tensile Properties of Impregnated Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) Fibres

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of impregnation pressure on physical and tensile properties of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres. The fibre was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde (PF) and unsaturated polyester (UP) with different impregnation pressures (1000, 900, 800, 700, 600 and 500 mmHg) at constant impregnation time of 5 min. Significant improvement in physical properties was observed due to reduction of moisture content (MC) and water absorption (WA) after being impregnated from 1000 to 500 mmHg while PF-impregnated fibre was showing more superior. Improvement in mechanical properties was also observed after being impregnated where much better tensile properties and toughness were found at UP-impregnated fibres while PF-impregnated fibres were found to be very much lower in toughness. This study concluded that in order to obtain a high toughness and better physical properties of sugar palm fibre, the fibre should be impregnated with UP resin with impregnation pressure of 600 mmHg

Sugar Palm Fibre-Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composite Interface Characterisation by Pull-Out Test.

Polymer composites using natural fibres as the reinforcing agents have found their use in many applications. However, they do suffer from a few limitations, due to the hydrophilicity of the natural fibres which results in low compatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrices. This paper aims to determine the best sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibre surface treatment to improve the fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion. Fibre surface modifications were carried out by water retting process where the fibres were immersed in sea water, pond water and sewage water for the period of 3 days. The test samples were fabricated by placing a single fibre in an unsaturated polyester resin. Single-fibre pull-out tests showed that freshwater-treated fibres possessed the highest interfacial shear strength, followed by untreated fibres, sewage water-treated fibres, and sea water-treated fibres. Further surface analyses of the samples were performed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) system. (2011) Trans Tech Publications

Renewable Energy Sources and Analyzing the Wind Turbine Performance; a Review

The potential of renewable energy resources has been investigated and its is shown that they can in fact fulfill most of the world’s energy demand. In this study renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower are studied and provided with sustainable energy services, based on the available natural resources. In the past three decades wind and solar power system have developed rapidly in sales, while there was a decline in their capital cost and costs of electricity generated. This study shows that the transition to renewable –based energy systems are increasing and continues to improve their performance characteristic. The enhancement and utilization of renewable energy sources can increase diversity in energy supply market, help to secure long term supportable energy supplies, keeping the environment clean by reducing local and global atmospheric emissions, establish marvelous options too encounter specific energy service needs by helping to create new job opportunities especially in developing countries.The potential of renewable energy resources has been investigated and its is shown that they can in fact fulfill most of the world’s energy demand. In this study renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower are studied and provided with sustainable energy services, based on the available natural resources. In the past three decades wind and solar power system have developed rapidly in sales, while there was a decline in their capital cost and costs of electricity generated. This study shows that the transition to renewable –based energy systems are increasing and continues to improve their performance characteristic. The enhancement and utilization of renewable energy sources can increase diversity in energy supply market, help to secure long term supportable energy supplies, keeping the environment clean by reducing local and global atmospheric emissions, establish marvelous options too encounter specific energy service needs by helping to create new job opportunities especially in developing countries

Interfacial debonding force and shear strength of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fiber reinforced composites by pull-out test

An experimental investigation was performed to understand the pulling out behaviour of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibers from unsaturated polyester (UP) composites. The effect of embedded length on the fiber-matrix interface was studied. Fibers were treated with UP and phenol formaldehyde (PF). Untreated fibers were used as the control. Single fiber pull-out tests were carried out for 360 specimens to determine the debonding force and interfacial shear strength (IFSS). Significant increase in debonding force of untreated fiber and UP-impregnated fiber was observed from embedded length of 2 mm to 3 mm. However, no significant increase was observed for the embedded length of more than 3 mm. Debonding force showed remarkable improvement with ascending order of untreated fibers, PF-impregnated fibers, and UP-impregnated fibers. The optimum embedded lengths of untreated fibers and UP fibers were determined. Additional finding showed that the interfacial shear strength decreased as the embedded length increased. However, UP-impregnated fibers showed the highest IFSS value, followed by PF fibers and untreated fibers. Analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was also included to justify the result

Supplier selection in a sustainable supply chain

Supplier selection is a process by which the firms identify, evaluate, and select the suppliers of their required raw materials. Although this process deploys an overwhelming amount of any firm’s financial resources, it would give substantial advantages if suppliers with high value are selected. Moreover, with paying more attention to the exhaustible natural resources and industrial pollution, sustainable supply chain management and sustainable supplier selection have significantly attracted the academic and corporate attention in recent years. Besides conventional criteria such as price and quality, sustainability cares about environmental and ecological respects of industrial activities. Reviewing the literature and considering the previous proposed frameworks for sustainable supply chain, this paper firstly aims at presenting a new structure which considers all of the influential relations between the members of the supply chain. Secondly, based on the new framework, the essential supplier selection measures and criteria are discussed. As the result, the offered scheme can be used by the manufacturers to select the most appropriate suppliers who contribute to the movement of the supply chain toward sustainability

Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory

The aim of this study is introducing a technique to illuminate composite issue, aspects or system factors, the complicated problems need to be structured with graphical illustration and analyzed casual interdependence and influences throughout the organization. Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology is proposed to for researching and solving complex and intertwined problem groups because of its capability in verifying interdependence between variables and try to improve them by offering a specific chart to reflect interrelationships between variables. In this technique experts plays complementary and approval role in all steps and sections. , key factors will be clarified by using the direct-influenced matrix and then it specifies priorities of each factor. The end product of the DEMATEL process is a visual demonstration-the Impact-Relations Map (IRM)-by which respondents organize their own actions in the world. First In this study, DEMATEL methodology in explained and then kind of different problems which can be solved by DEMATEL, will discussed and finally the method of DEMATEL is detailed completely

Effects of Impregnation Time on Physical and Tensile Properties of Impregnated Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) Fibres.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of impregnation time on physical and tensile properties of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres. The fibre was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde (PF) and unsaturated polyester (UP) with various impregnation times (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 min) at constant impregnation pressure of 1000 mmHg, before it was released within 30 s. Significant improvement in physical properties was observed after being impregnated for 5 min especially for fibre impregnated with PF due to its low moisture content (MC) and water absorption (WA). However, no significant changes in specific gravity for both impregnated fibres were observed. Fibre impregnated with UP for 5 min shows notable improvement in tensile strength and better fibre toughness while the fibre impregnated with PF showed lower tensile strength and elongation at break and higher tensile modulus than un-impregnated fibre. Since the PF-impregnated fibre become brittle and results in lower fibre toughness as shown in the stress strain behavior, this causes for poor fibre properties. However, there was no significant difference (p≤0.05) between all impregnated fibres in physical and tensile properties after impregnation time was extended from 10 to 25 min. In general, by increasing time of impregnation did not give much effect in improving physical and tensile properties of fibres

A review of the application of acoustic emission technique in engineering

The use of acoustic emission (AE) technique for detecting and monitoring damages and the progress on damages in different structures is widely used and has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and well-established technique in non-destructive testing (NDT). Acoustic Emission is a very efficient and effective technology used for fracture behavior and fatigue detection in metals, fiberglass, wood, composites, ceramics, concrete and plastics. It can also be used for detecting faults and pressure leaks in vessels, tanks, pipes, as well as for monitoring the progression of corrosion in welding. This paper reviews major research developments over the past few years in application of acoustic emission in numerous engineering fields, including manufacturing, civil, aerospace and material engineering

Improving purchasing performance by implementation of QMS process management approach in a manufacturing company

Process oriented approach in quality management system has been introduced with ISO9001:2000. The international standard promotes the adoption of a process approach when developing, implementing and improving the effectiveness of a QMS to enhance customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirement. The advantage of process approach is to link all parties in scope of business of the organization from suppliers, internal departments of organization to gather to make B2B communication and integration. In this paper, the process approach is defined based on QMS requirement. Supply department was proposed for implementation of process. Purchasing process was designed as a linkage between supplier and internal company departments. Performance indicators were developed and measured accordingly. It shows that process management can improve delivery capability, quality and monitor price of supplied parts by suppliers

Effect of natural durian skin on mechanical and morphological properties of Kevlar composites in structural applications

Recently, the sustainable issue is critical to function which encourages researchers to look for naturally sourced, sustainable materials in any application besides lower costs and improved performance. The effect of durian skin fibre loading on the mechanical properties of Kevlar/ durian skin/ phenolic hybrid composites was investigated. DSF is cellulose-based fibres extracted from durian skin. The fibre content in the composites in this study was 0 and 30 vol % of fibre loading. Increasing Durian skin fiber (DSF) content in the Kevlar Durian skin phenolic hybrid composites (KDSPHC) has reduced the tensile and flexural strength of the composites meanwhile the impact resistance increased up to about 40 % compared to 0 vol % DSF loading. A morphological study observed by Scanning Electron Microscope and optical microscope showed that the interaction between DSF and Kevlar fibre was decent which contributed to the variation in the composite properties