Abstract
The incorporation of kenaf fiber fillers into a polymer matrix has been pronounced in the past few decades. In this study, the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with a short kenaf fiber (20 mesh) with polypropylene (PP) added was investigated. The melt blending process was performed using an internal mixer to produce polymer composites with different filler contents, while the suitability of this melt composite for the injection molding process was evaluated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to investigate the thermal stability of the raw materials. Rheological analyses were conducted by varying the temperature, load factor, and filler content. The results demonstrate a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior in all samples with changed kenaf fillers (10 to 40 wt %) and MWCNT contents (1 to 4 wt %), which confirm the suitability of the feedstock for the injection molding process. The addition of MWCNTs had an immense effect on the viscosity and an enormous reduction in the feedstock flow behavior. The main contribution of this work is the comprehensive observation of the rheological characteristics of newly produced short PP/kenaf composites that were altered after MWCNT additions. This study also presented an adverse effect on the composites containing MWCNTs, indicating a hydrophilic property with improved water absorption stability and the low flammability effect of PP/kenaf/MWCNT composites. This PP/kenaf/MWCNT green composite produced through the injection molding technique has great potential to be used as car components in the automotive industry.
Highlights
The kenaf plant (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), one of the world’s commercial crops, is presently an attractive reinforcement material in advanced composite manufacturing industries
The rheological behavior of the PP/kenaf with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites is highly dependent on the filler content and the load factor
The changes in viscosity and flow behavior become evident with the addition of high contents (3 and 4 wt %) of MWCNT fillers
Summary
The kenaf plant (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), one of the world’s commercial crops, is presently an attractive reinforcement material in advanced composite manufacturing industries. The fibers of kenaf plants have a good mechanical strength and a durability of composites similar to many other plant types [1]. The low thermal decomposition temperature of natural fibers (
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