Abstract
The Lightweight Foamed Composite (LFC) exhibits inherent limitations in mechanical strength due to its porous structure, hindering its wider application. This study presents a novel approach to enhancing LFC's mechanical strength properties by incorporating Treated Kenaf Fibre (TKF), a domestically available high-yield crop in Malaysia, offering a green and effective solution for “Sustainable Composite Reinforcement.” To optimize fibre incorporation, raw kenaf fibres were pre-treated with a 1.5 M NaOH solution for 12 hours. Subsequently, a 0.6% TKF by Volume Fraction (Vf) was integrated into the LFC mix. The fresh and hardened density of Treated Kenaf Fibre Lightweight Foamed Composite (TKFLFC) was controlled within 1200 ± 5% kg/m3. Next, the mechanical properties evaluation of TKFLFC involved compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strength tests. By the 28-day mark, the compressive strength of LFC-TKF 0.6 showed a moderate improvement of 4%, while the flexural and splitting tensile strengths significantly increased by 56% and 62%, respectively, compared to LFC-Control. A performance index evaluation emphasizes the contribution of TKF in enhancing LFC's mechanical strength at the same densities. These findings demonstrate the potential for utilizing TKF in LFC as a green, sustainable civil construction material, offering valuable insights and opportunities for innovation.
Published Version
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