Utilization of kenaf fiber waste as reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

The textile industries produce huge KF waste which should be utilized optimally. In this study, the KF waste was used to produce a composite. The mechanical properties of KF waste reinforced composites were observed. The important factor which affects the mechanical properties is the fiber configuration. Tensile and flexural tests were used to characterize the composite's products. The tensile properties were evaluated according to ASTM D-638, while the flexural properties were examined following ASTM D-790. The results showed that the unidirectional fiber orientation had the highest tensile (76.5 MPa) and flexural (151.3 MPa) strengths. The results show that the polyester composites reinforced with KF waste exhibit equivalent tensile and flexural properties of composites composed of regular KFs if arranged in unidirectional orientation. Thus, the appropriate fiber orientation gives the best composite results.