Abstract
Natural fibre as a reinforcing agent has been widely used in many industries in this era. However, the reinforcing agent devotes a better strength when embedded with a polymer matrix. Nevertheless, the characteristic of natural fibre and polymer matrix are in contrast, as natural fibre is hydrophilic, while polymer is hydrophobic in nature. Natural fibre is highly hydrophilic due to the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH), while polymer matrix has an inherent hydrophobic characteristic which repels water. This issue has been fixed by modifying the natural fibre’s surface using a chemical treatment combining an alkaline treatment and a silane coupling agent. This modifying process of natural fibre might reduce the attraction of water and moisture content and increase natural fibre surface roughness, which improves the interfacial bonding between these two phases. In this paper, the effect of alkaline and silane treatment has been proven by performing the mechanical test, Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FTIR) to observe the surface structure. The chemical compositions and thermal properties of the composites have been obtained by performing Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) tests. 1.0% silane treatment displayed better strength performance as compared to other composites, which was proven by performing Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM). The assumption is that by enduring chemical treatment, kenaf fibre composites could develop high performance in industry applications.
Highlights
IntroductionAttention of engineers and professionals has been triggered regarding the increased consumption of petroleum and the depletion of these sources
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Nowadays, attention of engineers and professionals has been triggered regarding the increased consumption of petroleum and the depletion of these sources
This paper aims to investigate the effect of chemically treated kenaf fibres on mechanical and thermal properties of kenaf fibre-reinforced Poly Lactic Acid (PLA)
Summary
Attention of engineers and professionals has been triggered regarding the increased consumption of petroleum and the depletion of these sources. The emission of harmful gas into the environment and the greenhouse effect during incineration produced an alternative in the development and sustainability of natural polymer composites [1,2]. Automotive, and construction industries have widely used advanced polymer composites, which contain carbon and glass fibre as the primary materials [3]. Was found that these primary materials are hardly reusable and reutilised [3]. Natural fibre has been introduced to replace the consumption of petroleum-based and synthetic fibres. The characteristics between natural fibres and synthetic fibres are quite similar, such as low density, high stiffness, and good mechanical properties [1]
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