The Influence of MMA Esterification on Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Kenaf Bast/Glass Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites.

Rozyanty Rahman,Bartłomiej Jeż,Irwana Nainggolan,Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim,Marcin Nabiałek,Andrei Victor Sandu,Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah,Izabela Wnuk,Dariusz Kwiatkowski,Syed Zhafer Firdaus Syed Putra,Luqman Musa,Petrica Vizureanu

doi:10.3390/ma14092276

Abstract

The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites for various applications has increased, which is leading to more research being conducted on natural fiber hybrid composites due to their promising mechanical properties. However, the incompatibility of natural fiber with polymer matrix limits the performance of the natural fiber hybrid composite. In this research work, the mechanical properties and fiber-to-matrix interfacial adhesion were investigated. The efficiency of methyl methacrylate (MMA)-esterification treatments on composites’ final product performance was determined. The composite was prepared using the hand lay-up method with varying kenaf bast fiber (KBF) contents of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 (weight%) and hybridized with glass fiber (GF) at 5 and 10 (weight%). Unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were used as binders and catalysts, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine the effects of MMA-esterification treatment on tensile strength and morphology (tensile fracture and characterization of MMA-esterification treatment) of the composite fabricated. The tensile strength of MMA-treated reinforced UPE and hybrid composites are higher than that of untreated composites. As for MMA treatment, 90 min of treatment showed the highest weight percent gain (WPG) and tensile strength of KBF-reinforced UPE composites. It can be concluded that the esterification of MMA on the KBF can lead to better mechanical properties and adhesion between the KFB and the UPE matrix. This research provides a clear reference for developing hybrid natural fibers, thus contributing to the current field of knowledge related to GF composites, specifically in transportation diligences due to their properties of being lightweight, superior, and involving low production cost.

Highlights

Hybrid fiber composites are materials that consist of two or more fiber reinforcements in a composite system
The chemical reaction will occur with the presence of the OH group from cellulose and hemicellulose in kenaf bast fiber (KBF)
The increase in weight percent gain (WPG) value indicates that the KBF has been successfully esterified by MAA [48]

Summary

Introduction

Hybrid fiber composites are materials that consist of two or more fiber reinforcements in a composite system. The disadvantages of GF are relatively high-density compared to other reinforcing fibers, high sensitivity to abrasion during handling, relatively low fatigue resistance, and high hardness that cause excessive wear on molding dies and cutting tools [10,11,12,13]. In addition to these synthetic fibers, plant fibers ( called natural fibers) are used to reinforce polymers. Many studies have been conducted on hybrid natural fiber and GF [14,15,16,17,18,19]

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