Compressive strength of the 5cmx5cm coconut empty fruit bunch fiber reinforced cement cubes

As coconut cultivation expands, billions of tonnes of coconut waste, including empty fruit bunches (EFB) fibres are generated annually and mostly disposed in the landfills. The increase in environmental concern pertaining disposal of waste has leads to an interest to use empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibre from coconut waste as an alternative reinforcement in the construction materials, as presented in this research. The objectives of this research are to fabricate coconut EFB fibre reinforced cement cubes, investigate the effectiveness of the fibres in improving the compressive strength of the cement cubes, and also to analyse the fractured surface of the cubes after the compressive strength test. The cement cubes of 5cm x 5cm were prepared by mixing the cement, water, and coconut EFB fibres at several mixing designs. In comparison to the control-plain cement cubes, the compressive strength of the fibre reinforced cement cubes improved with the addition of the coconut EFB fibres by 1.6 times. The fractured surface analysis on the compressed cement cubes revealed that the control-plain cement cubes shatter into many pieces and completely parted. Meanwhile, in the EFB fibre reinforced cement cubes, the fractured pieces remain attached due to the bridging action by the coconut EFB fibre

Patterns of negotiation of meaning routine in online forum discussion

This study examines a text-based, asynchronous online forum discussion among English language teacher trainers who were involved in a two-week online professional development course. It investigates the participants’ negotiation of meaning routine when they come across new content related item and describes the pattern of this negotiation of meaning routine. A textual analysis method, employing Smith’s (2003) expansion of Varonis and Gass Model (1985) for negotiation of meaning, was utilised to analyse the discussion threads. The analysis revealed that the participants did engage in negotiation of meaning and all the four negotiation of meaning steps (trigger, indicator, response and reply to response) were evident. It was also revealed that content triggers, local indicator, elaboration in responses and task appropriate response were frequently used. As the application of CMD for teaching and learning is increasing, findings of this study could inform educators about the kind of strategies that could enrich online interaction

Preparation and microstructural characterization of five-layered aluminium-aluminium oxide functionally graded material

In this research, the metallic phase Aluminium (Al) and the ceramic phase Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) were combined in different proportions for the preparation of five-layered Al-Al2O3 functionally graded material. Delamination or crack is the common problem at the metal-ceramic interface because of the large difference in material properties. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to investigate the defects within the layer during processing of the graded structure. The compositions of different weight percentages of five-layered structure are 100%Al+0%Al2O3, 95%Al+5%Al2O3, 90%Al+10%Al2O3, 85%Al+15%Al2O3 and 80%Al+20%Al2O3. During preparation of the graded composite structure, conventional two-step sintering cycle was followed. Heating rate 2°C/min, sintering temperature 630°C and sintering time 3 hours were maintained. It was observed that there was uniform distribution of Al2O3 ceramic particle in the Al matrix with the minimum of agglomeration, all interfaces were almost parallel with layers boundary and gradual transition occurred from first layer to fifth layer which confirmed the proper preparation processes of the five-layered graded composite structure. In addition, it was evident that there was no existence of crack within any layer or interface of the prepared composite structure

Communicating quality audit indicators for inbound tourism: a qualitative insight from Malaysian travel agencies

Quality assurance is fundamental to all business activities in the tourism sector as it is advantageous to market recognition and competitiveness. Awareness of the importance of quality assurance certifications is already in place in Malaysia however it is still under-researched. Thus, this study aims to investigate how local travel agency operators perceive suitable levels of quality audit indicators for inbound travel agencies. A semi-structured interview was conducted to explore the views and experiences of key industry players from five travel agencies involved in both inbound and outbound tourism businesses in the country. A content analysis of data acknowledged the industry's increased awareness of quality service delivery and the importance of rationalising key quality audit indicators in assuring the lifelong survival of inbound Malaysian travel agencies. Also found was the need for systematic monitoring of the inbound travel agency's certification plan that continually reflects the demands of the clientèle and uplifts national productivity as outlined in the initiatives undertaken by the Tourism Productivity Nexus, an industry-led establishment under the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint 2016-2020. The study finally outlines specific entrepreneurial strategies that will enhance productivity operations at the enterprise level

Tensile Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyamide 6-Polypropylene Composites

In this research study, glass fiber (GF) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6)-polypropylene blends were prepared using injection molding machine. Test specimens of five different compositions such as, 70%PA6+30%PP, 65%PA6+30%PP+5%GF, 60%PA6+30%PP+10%GF, 55%PA6+30%PP+15%GF and 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF were prepared successfully. The effects of glass fiber content on the tensile properties of the composites were investigated. Test results reveal that yield strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength and tensile elongation are influenced by glass fiber content. Results show that yield strength is low for 70%PA6+30%PP pure polymer blend whereas 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite shows high yield strength. Test results also show that elastic modulus is low for 70%PA6+30%PP, it increases with the increase in fiber content and elastic modulus is remarkably high for 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite. On the other hand, tensile strength is low for 70%PA6+30%PP blend and tensile strength of GF reinforced composite increases steadily with the increase in glass fiber content. In addition, the tensile elongation of 70%PA6+30%PP pure blend is very high, whereas the composite shows reduced tensile elongation with the increase in fiber content and particularly, 50%PA6+30%PP+20%GF composite shows notably low tensile elongation

Influence of glass fiber content on tensile properties of polyamide-polypropylene based polymer blend composites

In recent years, the rapid development of polymer composites is replacing the use of metals and alloys in high performance engineering applications, particularly in automotive and aerospace industries. In this research study, influence of glass fiber (GF) content on tensile properties of polyamide-polypropylene (PA-PP) based blend composites was investigated. Considering, 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% GF content, PA6-PP-GF composites of five compositions were prepared through injection molding method. In the experiments, tensile tests were performed under strain rate of 5 mm/min for all types of composite specimens. Test results show that tensile properties of composites of five different compositions are influenced by glass fiber content. In general, tensile strength of composite increases gradually with increase in fiber content. On the other hand, tensile modulus increases significantly with increase in fiber content. Experimental data also revealed that yield strength, strength at fracture and strain at break of the composites are influenced by the content of glass fiber. Test data also show that tensile strain at maximum load almost corresponds to the tensile strain at break for all composite specimens

Investigation on microstructure and hardness of aluminium-Aluminium oxide functionally graded material

This study investigated the microstructure and hardness of aluminium-aluminium oxide (Al-Al2O3) functionally graded material (FGM). Preparation of metal-ceramic functionally graded material was carried out following powder metallurgy (PM) route. Four-layered aluminium-aluminium oxide (Al-Al2O3) graded composite structure was processed using 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% (from first layer to fourth layer) aluminium oxide as ceramic concentration. A cylindrical steel die was used for the fabrication process of the FGM green compact. The green compact was prepared by applying cold pressing technique using a hydraulic press. The sintering process was implemented at 600 °C sintering temperature and 3 h sintering time using 2-step cycle. Microstructural characterization of the sample was conducted layer by layer using high resolution optical microscopy (OM). Hardness of the sample was also performed layer by layer using Vickers microhardness tester. The obtained results revealed that there is a uniform ceramic particle distribution within the metallic phase. From the microstructural observation it was clear that smooth transition occurred from one layer to next layer and each interface was distinct. It was also observed that there is a steady increase in layer hardness with the increase in ceramic concentration

The influence of growth temperature on the properties of zinc oxide by thermal oxidation

Zinc thin films were successfully deposited on Si substrate by thermal evaporation method under constant base pressure of 1.604x10-4 Pa. Thermal oxidation of the deposited film was carried out at two different growth temperatures of 300oC and 500oC. The effects of growth temperature on the properties of zinc oxide were investigated. Thermal oxidation for constant time 1 hour in horizontal tube furnace in air condition was carried out. The white-silver zinc thin films were changed to black-brown zinc oxide after thermal oxidation at temperature 500oC. FESEM results show that the zinc particles were almost round shape with nanostructures in size. ZnO nanowires were successfully obtained at low growth temperature of 300oC and the size become decrease as the growth temperature was increased to 500oC. The XRD results confirmed that ZnO was started to oxidize at growth temperature of 300oC with the sharpest peak obtained was indexed to ZnO(101). However, the oxidation of Zn was not fully completed while there are Zn peaks appear at this temperature. At growth temperature 500oC, all the peaks were indexed to ZnO with the sharpest peak was ZnO(101) meaning that the oxidation was completed. The calculated particle sizes were varied from 27.841nm to 36.788nm for ZnO at 300°C and 0.697nm to 161.18nm for ZnO of 500°C

Characterization of tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructures prepared by thermal oxidation

Tin oxide (SnO2) nanocrystals and nanowires were successfully synthesized on Si(100) substrate by thermal oxidation method at different oxidation temperatures 450oC, 500oC and 550oC. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by FESEM, Uv-Vis and Photoluminescence spectrum. The morphology of the samples was confirmed by FESEM and the optical properties were obtained from Uv-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Tin oxide nanocrystals were obtained at oxidation temperatures 450oC and 550oC. However, at 500oC, tin oxide nanowires were obtained. The energy band gaps of tin oxide nanocrystals at 450oC and 550oC were 1.35eV and 1.25eV respectively and energy band gap of tin oxide nanowires at 500oC was 1.21eV. PL emission spectra results showed that tin oxide nanocrystals at 450oC exhibit maximum emission at 775nm (1.60eV) at first maximum peak and 815nm (1.52eV) at second maximum peak while tin oxide nanowires at 500oC exhibit first maximum peak at 450nm (2.76eV), second maximum peak at 500nm excitation (2.48eV) and third maximum highest peak at 650nm excitation (1.91eV)

Empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers as reinforcement in polypropylene

In this work, EFB fibers / Polypropylene matrix were prepared using hot pressing tool at 3 different ratio (5%, 10%, and 15% EFB/PP). Tensile test and impact test were done according to ASTM standard, ASTM D638 and ASTM D256, respectively. The results from tensile test and impact test showed that the prepared specimens of EFB/PP composite have slightly higher elastic modulus (1.95 GPa - 2.1 GPa) compared to pure PP (1.91 GPa) but at the same time they are lack of ductility and have low impact strength, at a range of 4.6 kJ/m2 to 5.5 kJ/m2 compared to pure polypropylene with impact strength value of 18.18 kJ/m2. From the fractured surface analysis, the initial micro cracks were seen mostly occurred at the interface of the EFB/PP and air voids which act as a crack propagation site