Physical and mechanical behaviors of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced thermoplastics corn starch bio polymer composites

Recently, the desire to develop environmentally friendly products is growing due to the accumulating of non-biodegradable waste, mainly the disposable product. Starch is one of the potential materials due to the easy availability, low cost, renewability and biodegradability. However, the natural behaviours associated with corn starch (CS) have demonstrated poor mechanical behaviours. Therefore, the modification of CS with the glycerol was applied to form thermoplastics corn starch (TPCS). Hence, characterizations of the TPCS were investigated and the best result was obtained from a mixture of 70 wt.% CS and 30 wt.% glycerol. Meanwhile, pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) is a versatile plant which can be considered a renewable source for composite development. Then, the modification procedure to enhance the behaviours of TPCS reinforced by PALF was employed by using several method; (I) preparation by using multi layers and single layer (2) reinforcement with different lengths of PALF, and (3) treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). PALF reinforcement at the weight ratio of 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40 was prepared with TPCS. Consequently, the findings showed that the mechanical behaviours of the treated PALE/TPCS bio­ composite were improving via single layer. The tensile strength at low PALF loadings produced low values but when reached 40 to 50 wt.%, the tensile strength achieved the highest results. In terms of physical analysis, the preparation of treated PALE/TPCS bio-composite by single layer had a significant impact on moisture absorption and water absorption characteristics. In addition, the tests such as soil burial and water solubility were also affected by the fibre loading. Next, the PALF length affected the physical and mechanical behaviours of PALE/TPCS bio-composite. PALF with a length of IO mm showed better characteristics than the length of 2 mm and 30 mm. In conclusion, the TPCS/PALF bio-composites are potential materials for biodegradable products such as non-load bearing applications

Non-dimensional distribution pattern analysis of particle transportation in simplified pipeline system

Sustainable preservation of pipeline system that deal with particle transportation is more appealing these days. In petroleum industries for instance, sand transported through the pipelines pose serious problems ranging from blockage, corrosion, abrasion and reduction in pipe efficiency to loss of pipe integrity. Accurate four-dimensional simulation that caters the transient effect of the phenomena is used to promote sustainability in design, evaluation and maintenance procedures. This is employed to minimize conventional practices which are costly and inefficient. This work demonstrates the advantages of applying four-dimensional Splitting Fluid-Particle Solver to simulate particle transportation within a simplified pipeline system. Single-phase fluid with solid sphere particles are the assumptions while drift and gravitational forces are taken into account. Effect of fluid flow rate and particle weight alterations are observed within vertical curled and 2-1-2 segmental pipeline. Flow rate variation on multiple inputs shows that proper simulation is essential in order to predict fluid flow behavior prior to pipeline construction. Particle weight variation shows that simulation can lead to better prediction of potential areas of blockage, corrosion, abrasion and other piping system issues. This work proves that four-dimensional simulation can promote sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency of pipeline system management

Elastohydrodynamics Lubrication for Bio-Based Lubricants in Elliptical Conjunction

This paper investigates a bio-based lubrication issue of elastohydrodynamic lubricants in mechanical part. Bio-based lubricants are one of the possibilities that might be used as a substitute for the conventional lubricants in the industries. The paper focused on elastohydrodynamic lubrication flows at the elliptical conjunctions by using bio-based lubricants and mineral oil. The computational fluid dynamic was used to determine the effect of lubricants in elliptical conjunctions. This software helps to verify the deformation of the pressure distribution at the conjunctions. From this study, at constant speed, the mineral oil has higher value of dynamic pressure than bio-based lubricants along X and Y axis between two mating surfaces. It is found that, the mineral oil carried more load compared to bio-based lubricant. Hence, the bio-based lubricant is the best lubricant to protect the surfaces from wear and damage due to its properties has less value of dynamic pressure than mineral oil

Elastohydrodynamics Lubrication for Bio-Based Lubricants in Elliptical Conjunction

This paper emphasizes on bio-based lubrication issue of elastohydrodynamic lubricants in mechanical part. The bio-based lubricant has a great potential as a substitute for conventional lubricant in industries. In this work, the elastohydrodynamic lubrication flows were investigated at the elliptical conjunctions by using bio-based lubricants and mineral oil. The computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software was used to determine the effect of lubricants and helps to verify the deformation of the pressure distribution at the conjunctions. The results show that at constant speed, the mineral oil exhibits higher value of dynamic pressure than the bio-based lubricant along X and Y axis between two mating surfaces. It is also found that the mineral oil carried more load compared to bio-based lubricant. Owing to the promising properties of lower dynamic pressure than the mineral oil, the bio- based lubricant exhibits significant behaviour in protecting the surfaces from wear and damage

Characteristic Of Thermoplastics Corn Starch Composite Reinforced Short Pineapple Leaf Fibre By Using Laminates Method

In recent years, the increased demand of biodegradable polymers has sparked the research interest in the development of alternatives to conventional polymers. As such, starch considerably one of the best substitutes to the non-degradable polymers owing to its advantages. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanical, physical and environmental characterization of bio-composites, which is in this case the thermoplastic corn starch (TPCS) reinforced with a 2 mm length of pineapple leaf fibre(PALF). The selection of different weight percentages in the range of 20 to 60 weight percentage (wt.%) of PALF contents were applied in this work. The mixtures of TPCS with different wt.% of PALF were made by using a hot compression moulding at 165 °C for 15 minutes. Several testing has been performed to determine the bio-composites characteristics. The results show that by incorporating 40 wt.% loading of PALF, the tensile and modulus strength has increased to the maximum. It is also seen that there is an inverse relationship between the moisture content and the wt.% loading of PALF. However, the water and moisture absorption show a direct relationship with wt.% loading of PALF. Meanwhile, the soil burial decreases when the wt.% loadings of PALF increase while the results for water solubility suggest vice versa. It is also found that the TPCS with 40 wt.% of PALF have a good miscibility between matrix/fibre in the bio-composites

Mechanical and physical properties of thermoplastic corn starch

The awareness to produce biodegradable composite has increased rapidly because of non-toxic and reachable. However, fully biodegradable composite production still low due to the matrix used in the composite is not biodegradable. Thus, this paper presents the study on mechanical and physical properties for the mixtures of corn starch (CS) with different weight percentages of glycerol as thermoplastics corn starch (TPCS) matrix. The selected glycerol contents were at 30, 35 and 40 wt%. The mixtures of CS and different weight percentages of glycerol were made using hot compression moulding at 165°C for 15 minutes to produce the TPCS samples. The mechanical and physical properties were done: the tensile test, hardness test, water absorption test, moisture content test and microstructure analysis under the Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM). Incorporating 30 wt% loadings of glycerol has increased the tensile strength and hardness. The results show that the addition of higher than 30 wt% loadings of glycerol has decreased the tensile strength and hardness of the TPCS. The physical test results for 30 wt% loadings of glycerol for water absorption test and moisture content show the lowest value than other TPCS samples. However, the density value for all wt% loadings of glycerol does not offer much difference. It reveals that 30 wt% loadings of glycerol in the mixture of CS have shown a good interaction in the TPCS mechanical properties. Based on this finding, the TPCS has huge potential to be used as a matrix to develop a fully biodegradable composite

Gnielinski method in calculating the heat transfer coefficient for metallic solar tower absorber

This work is done to calculate the heat transfer coefficient of metallic wire mesh to air in an open volumetric thermal absorber. It is aimed to replace the actual ceramic with metallic which latter has better thermal properties in order to increase the efficiency of the concentrating solar power plant. The calculation of the heat transfer coefficient from porous wire structure to the air has been conducted to pursue the purpose. The structure that has been chosen is a set of metallic wires with aligned and shifted configurations. The variations of wire diameter together with various porosities from 0.10 to 0.50 have been calculated to obtain the best configuration for the absorber. The flow characteristic within the mesh structure in terms of Reynolds number and its relationship with the heat transfer coefficient has been obtained. The condition on mass flow rate of heat transfer medium and other aspects which influence the heat transfer are also discussed

Effect of agar on dynamic mechanical properties of thermoplastic sugar palm starch: thermal behavior

The aim of this work is to study the behavior of thermoplastic sugar palm starch (SPS)/agar blends when subjected to increasing temperature. Thermoplastic SPS/agar blends were prepared by incorporation of agar into thermoplastic SPS in the range of 10 to 40 wt%. The mixture was melt-mixed and then hot pressed at 140oC for 10 min. Dynamic mechanical testing was conducted on all samples at a temperature range of 25 to 140oC. The results show that the storage modulus of all samples decreased gradually with increase in temperature. This phenomenon indicates higher molecular movement of the materials when subjected to increasing temperature. Increasing agar weight fraction from 10 to 40wt% has decreased the storage modulus of the thermoplastic SPS/agar blends. These findings were accompanied by a decrease in the loss modulus of thermoplastic SPS which indicates less viscosity of the material when agar was introduced. The damping factor that indicates the molecular mobility of the material display increasing trend with an increase in agar concentration. In conclusion, the addition of agar has increased the molecular mobility of thermoplastic SPS which enhanced the polymer chain movement of the material at high temperature

Statistical analysis of the performance of young's modulus of natural fiber composites and synthetic fiber composites

Fiber-reinforced composites are widely used in a wide range of applications due to their lightweight, low cost, environmentally friendly, and reliable properties. Natural fiber and synthetic fiber are the two main types of fiber. These two fiber groups have distinct features that require a methodical approach for material selection. The distinct properties of both fibers resulted in a wide range of strength that was computed in accordance with the desired performance of material engineers. Synthetic fibers are known to be stronger than natural fibers, however due to sustainability concerns, natural fibers are commonly used with some fiber modifications and hybridization to enhance the strength of natural fiber composites. Statistical analysis is employed in this study to determine Young's modulus of each fiber group. Hypothesis testing was used to confirm the performance of the fiber's Young's modulus. All synthetic fibers have a substantially greater Young's modulus than natural fiber based on the P-value score. Aramid had the highest score for synthetic fibers, while flax fiber had the highest score for natural fiber groups, with 424.8 GPa and 57.3 GPa, respectively. Ultimately, hybridization has the potential to overcome the limitations of both synthetic and natural fibers. This statistical approach may be used to validate the hypothesis about the properties of both fibers

Elastohydrodynamics lubrication for bio-based lubricants in elliptical conjunction

The issue of elastohydrodynamic lubricants in industry has been investigated by many researchers. Whereby many machine elements, such as gear teeth, cams and followers and rolling-element bearings are working under spinning and rolling conditions. Thus, the function of lubricant is to prevent friction and wear which causes material failure between two surfaces. Bio-based lubricants are one of the possibilities that might be used as a substitute to the conventional lubricants in the industries. Therefore, in this research we focused on elastohydrodynamic lubrication flows at the elliptical conjunctions by using bio-based lubricants. The numerical approach is used in this study to determine the effect of elliptical conjunctions by using the Gambit and Fluent software. This software helps to verify the deformation of the pressure distribution at the conjunctions. We had obtained that at constant speed, the mineral oil has the highest value of dynamics pressure than bio-based lubricants along X and Y axis between two surfaces. So, the mineral oil will able to carry more load than bio-based lubricant. However, we obtain that the bio-based lubricant is the best lubricant to protect the surfaces from wear and damage than mineral oil because mineral oil has higher value of dynamics pressure than bio-based lubricant