The effect of polyurethane binder and glass fiber reinforcement on physical and mechanical properties of mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) leaves waste biocomposite

Abstract

In this work, the effect of polyurethane binder and glass fiber as reinforcement on the physical and mechanical properties of mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) leaves waste as biocomposite was investigated. Mahogany leaves waste has been successfully synthesized into a strong and lightweight biocomposite material by using a polyurethane binder and glass fiber as reinforcement. The mass content of polyurethane was varied between 0.25?1.50 g to obtain the optimum conditions. The contents of glass fiber added were between 0.1?0.5 g for biocomposite reinforcement. The addition of polyurethane and glass fiber mass fraction on biocomposite from mahogany leaves waste affected the physical and mechanical properties. The optimum ratio of mahogany leaves waste and polyurethane binder to produce biocomposite showed a compressive strength of 41.59 MPa, a density of 1.060 g/cm3, water absorption of 6.98%, and a thickness development of 7.27%. The addition of glass fiber material was proven to increase the compressive strength of biocomposites to 57.68 MPa. The addition of glass fiber to biocomposites also succeeded in improving physical properties. The testing of glass fiber reinforced biocomposites resulted in a density of 1.140 g/cm3, water absorption of 5.42%, and thickness development of 8.18%.