Thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of kenaf/bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Siew Sand Chee, Mohammad Jawaid, Mohamed T.H. Sultan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An increased awareness of environmental concerns has increased the need for innovation to produce high performance engineering materials with natural renewable resources. In this study, 3 types of natural fibre (mat form) reinforced epoxy composites were prepared by the hand lay-up method, namely, kenaf (K)/Epoxy, bamboo (B)/Epoxy, and bamboo charcoal (BC)/Epoxy. The thermal stability of the specimens was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the dynamic mechanical properties. Viscous elastic behaviour of the specimens was investigated via a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The TGA results revealed that the BC/Epoxy composite showed the highest thermal stability compared to K/Epoxy and B/Epoxy with the highest initial and final decomposition temperature at 348 ° and 463 °, respectively. It also showed the highest charcoal content at 11.5%. From the DMA results, the K/Epoxy composite showed better dynamic mechanical properties with the highest complex modulus (E*) strength and the lowest damping behaviour (peak height of Tan δ). The DMA analysis also revealed that the glass transition temperature of the composites fell between 60 ° to 90 °. This preliminary study may give a new path to develop a novel hybrid composite that offers unique properties unachievable in a single material system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7118-7132
Number of pages15
JournalBioResources
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bamboo
  • Composite
  • Dynamic mechanical properties
  • Kenaf
  • Natural fibre polymer composite
  • Thermal stability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Bioengineering
  • Waste Management and Disposal

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