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Polymers from Renewable Resources

Effects of kenaf filler reinforcement on mechanical properties of molded
polypropylene composites : A particle size study

Sorush Dovlatabadi

Abstract

The combination of natural fibers in petroleum plastic soften industrial footprints on the environment. Plastic matrix can be filled with renewable resources leading to a greener composite that is biodegradable. This paper focuses on particulate kenaf filler modification and its affects on the properties of polypropylene, processing techniques and the use of particle size filler for improving linkages between fiber and polymeric matrixes.

Keywords

Sustainability, renewability, kenaf, polypropylene, natural fibers

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Introduction

The potentiality of natural plants in replacing traditional and mineral fillers as reinforcements in plastic matrix composites is in its infancy.

Much interest has been seen with biocomposites materials due to the significant rapid renewability of resources.

For example, as a non-renewable resource, glass fibers have been used for some time and since their inception, a number of limitations have been evident, such as high energy consumption, processing difficulties, poor recycling properties and poor degradability.

Furthermore, glass fiber particles have shown to cause environmental pollution and is a considerable health hazard.

Materials

The materials used in this study were: pulverized kenaf with a filament size of 150 mm (100 mesh) and 550 mm (33 mesh) obtained from Hemp Inc. in Spring Hope North Carolina; copolymer polypropylene with a melt flow index of 8 g/10 min, obtained from Channel Prime Alliance in Indianapolis, IN; and epolene-43 with a molecular weight of 91 g/mol and acid number 45, obtained from ChemPoint in Houston, TX.

Our Application

Coupling agent

Methodology

The concentration load consisted of kenaf at 25%, polypropylene at 70% and epolene-43 at 3%was mixed for homogeny and dried in an oven for 24 hours at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The mix was extruded and injection molded with temperatures not exceeding 400 degrees Fahrenheit and the molds where that of standard ISO sizes.

The tensile (ISO 527) and flexural (ISO 178) properties were evaluated using the ADMIN Universal
Testing Machine.

Additionally, IZOD was tested using Tinius Olsen (ISO 180) and melt flow was tested using Tinius Olsen at 446 degrees Fahrenheit using 2160 grams.

At least five specimens were tested to obtain a meaningful average.

Prior viscosity trials authenticated an ideal compound with a target value of 5 g/10 min, using 2160 gram weight in viscosity testing, resulting in an ideal smooth pelletized compound.

Therefore, 24 g/10 min melt copolymer was used for 550 um and 8 g/10 min for 150 um to achieve target viscosity levels for an optimal compound.

Results

Natural fibers have the potential in offering better reinforcement for the improvement of mechanical and physical properties. Using kenaf fillers (core and bast) as a reinforcement is monetarily reasonable in utilizing natural sources.

Investigating the inherent characteristics of kenaf filler at various geometries using 150 mm and 550 mm furthers the study of particle size to mechanical properties when achieving greater homogeneity under proper blending conditions.

As can be seen in Table 1, The 150 mm filled composite revealed a better interfacial bond due to high surface area and porosity of the low micron filler resulting in improved mechanical properties. Further, slightly weaker mechanical strength was observed for 550 mm due to poor physical contact between the filler and matrix.

Also, the lack of polymeric entanglements of 550 mm proved to have weaker adhesion, inferior mechanical integrity and decreased viscosity. These filler voids are defects in the composite and hinder mechanical strength.

2
Table 1. Properties of compounded 150mm kenaf-PP and 550 mm kenaf-PP.
PerformanceUnitsMethods150 Mm kenaf-PP550 Mm Kenaf-PP
Tensile StrengthMPaISO 52730.029.0
Flexural ModulusMPaISO 17823002100
IZOD ImpactkJ/m2ISO 1805.54.6
Specific Gravityg/cm3ISO 11830.990.99
Melt Flow 235/2160Gg/10 minISO 11335.05.6

Conclusion

As can be seen from the results, mechanical properties of composites are largely dependent on the size of the particle.
As can be seen from the results, mechanical properties of composites are largely dependent on the size of the particle. The improvement of particle/matrix adhesion is maximized through micron sizes where mechanical properties depend strongly on particle size with higher surface area.
The incorporation of lower particles enhanced tensile, flex, and Izod through a more sound dimensional stability.
The incorporation of lower particles enhanced tensile, flex, and Izod through a more sound dimensional stability. This incorporation may be due to an agreeability of a good filler-matrix interaction between the kenaf filler and matrix composite.
In summary, this observable variation is the poor adhesion of large particles within the polymer matrix..
In summary, this observable variation is the poor adhesion of large particles within the polymer matrix where the small particle size proved to have a better interface adhesion with an obvious positive effect on mechanical properties.

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the..

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Sorush Dovlatabadi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0900-1045

ORCID iD

Sorush Dovlatabadi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0900-1045

Reference

Amin M, Arifin A, Hassan M, et al

An evaluation of mechanical properties on kenaf natural fiber/ polyester composite structures as table tennis blade. J Phys: Conf Ser 2017; 914: 012015.

Abdul Khalil HPS, Ireana Yusra AF, Bhat AH, et al.

Cell wall ultrastructure, anatomy, lignin distribution, and chemical composition of Malaysian cultivated kenaf fiber. Ind Crops Prod 2010; 31(1): 113–121.

Amin M, Arifin A, Hassan M, et al

An evaluation of mechanical properties on kenaf natural fiber/ polyester composite structures as table tennis blade. J Phys: Conf Ser 2017; 914: 012015.

Anuar H, Zuraida A, Kovacs JG, et al.

Improvement of mechanical properties of injection-molded polylactic acid-kenaf fiber biocomposite. J Thermoplast Compos Mater 2012; 25(2): 153–164.

Pearson P and Yee A.

Influence of particle-size and particle-size distribution on toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified epoxies. Mater Sci 1991; 26: 3828–3844.

Mohamad JS.

Effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the tensile, impact and thickness swelling properties of kenaf core—polypropylene composites. J Sci Technol 2011; 2: 33–44.

Feng D, Caulfield D and Sanadi A.

Effect of compatibilizer on the structure-property relationship of kenaffiber/ polypropylene composites. Polym Compos 2004; 22: 506–517.

Zampaloni M, Pourbograt F, Yankovich S, et al

Kenaf natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: a discussion on manufacturing problems and solutions. Composites 2007; 38: 1569–1580.

Amin M, Arifin A, Hassan M, et al

An evaluation of mechanical properties on kenaf natural fiber/ polyester composite structures as table tennis blade. J Phys: Conf Ser 2017; 914: 012015.

Abdul Khalil HPS, Ireana Yusra AF, Bhat AH, et al.

Cell wall ultrastructure, anatomy, lignin distribution, and chemical composition of Malaysian cultivated kenaf fiber. Ind Crops Prod 2010; 31(1): 113–121.

Amin M, Arifin A, Hassan M, et al

An evaluation of mechanical properties on kenaf natural fiber/ polyester composite structures as table tennis blade. J Phys: Conf Ser 2017; 914: 012015.

Anuar H, Zuraida A, Kovacs JG, et al.

Improvement of mechanical properties of injection-molded polylactic acid-kenaf fiber biocomposite. J Thermoplast Compos Mater 2012; 25(2): 153–164.

Pearson P and Yee A.

Influence of particle-size and particle-size distribution on toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified epoxies. Mater Sci 1991; 26: 3828–3844.

Mohamad JS.

Effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the tensile, impact and thickness swelling properties of kenaf core—polypropylene composites. J Sci Technol 2011; 2: 33–44.

Feng D, Caulfield D and Sanadi A.

Effect of compatibilizer on the structure-property relationship of kenaffiber/ polypropylene composites. Polym Compos 2004; 22: 506–517.

Zampaloni M, Pourbograt F, Yankovich S, et al

Kenaf natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: a discussion on manufacturing problems and solutions. Composites 2007; 38: 1569–1580.

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