UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-TREATED SUGAR PALM (ARENGA PINNATA) FIBER REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES DANDI BACHTIAR

Similar documents
TENSILE AND FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF ARENGA PINNATA FILAMENT (IJUK FILAMENT) REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES

TENSILE PROPERTIES OF ALKALI TREATED SUGAR PALM FIBER MOHAMAD NAZIRUL MUBIN BIN MERZUKI

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBRE REINFORCED POLYPROPYLENE LAMINATED COMPOSITES

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA. MOISTURE CONTENT OF KENAF (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) STEM BASED ON MICROWAVE DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES MOHD NAZREN BIN RADZUAN

MECHANICAL AND FLAMMABILITY PROPERTIES OF HYBRID RECYCLED NEWSPAPER / MONTMORILLONITE POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

EFFECT OF MOISTURE ON TENSILE PROPERTIES OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH (EFB) UNSATURATED POLYESTER COMPOSITES SULAIMAN BIN MOHAMAD ALI

MODELING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED NYLON

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

Pre-treatment by Water Retting to Improve the Interfacial Bonding Strength of Sugar Palm Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composite

FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF TIMBER HARVESTING UNDER CONVENTIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN A TIMBER CONCESSION IN TERENGGANU

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS AND MEDIA ON JUSTICIA GENDARUSSA BURM F. CUTTINGS AND THEIR BIOMASS

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

Influence of Fibre Volume Fraction and Vacuum Pressure on the Flexural Properties of Sugar Palm Frond Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

THICKNESS EFFECT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMPOSITE TUBE ABDULLAH OMAR BIN ABDUL AZIZ UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG

Rahul Kshirsagar Research Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.

UNIFIED CONSTITUTIVE MODELS FOR DEFORMATION OF THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES SITI SYALEIZA BINTI ARSAD

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

CHARACTERIZATION OF FIBER OPTIC SENSOR FOR LIQUID REFRACTIVE INDEX MONITORING DIANAY SHAFINA BINTI SHAFEI UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

NOOR FAEZAH BINTI MOHD SANI UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

BENDING MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF EPOXY MATRIX REINFORCED WITH MALVA FIBER

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MALAYSIAN RUBBER PRODUCTION

PARTIAL PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MONOTERPENE SYNTHASE EXTRACTED FROM YOUNG LEAVES OF MICHELLIA ALBA

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT. Keywords: Empty fruit bunch; epoxy; flexural properties; tensile properties ABSTRAK

COMPARISON BETWEEN CANLITE STABILIZED LATERITE AND PROBASE STABILIZED LATERITE NG TECK WEI

STUDY OF MICRO PITS ON BILLET EXPERIMENTAL SURFACE IN EXTRUSION PROCESS MAK KAM WONG

COMPOSITE HONEYCOMB CORE SANDWICH PLATE WITH FACESHEET INDENTATION MODEL SUBJECTED TO LOW-VELOCITY IMPACT SITI HASYYATI BINTI DRAHMAN


PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYACRYLIC ACID BASED HYDROGEL FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION WAHAM ASHAIER LAFTAH

BEHAVIOUR OF COMPOSITE I-BEAMS UNDER CRUSHING AND BENDING MODES

Effect of Alkali Treatment and pmdi Isocyanate Additive on Tensile Properties of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composite

INVESTIGATION ON OIL PALM FIBER COMPOSITE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES MUHAMAD SYAFIQ BIN MD NAJIB UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

PREDICTION OF BEAM STIFFNESS FOR STRUCTURAL GLUED- LAMINATED TIMBER

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA IMPACT BEHAVIOUR OF COMPOSITE PLATE WITH EMBEDDED PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR

THE EFFECT OF MARKET AND LEARNING ORIENTATIONS ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES IN PAKISTAN

Experimental Investigations of Mechanical Properties of Natural Hybrid Fiber, Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials

Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF COATING MATERIALS ON KENAF PAPER HAZWANI HUSNA BINTI ABDULLAH

Effect of Filler Loading and NaOH Addition on Mechanical Properties of Moulded Kenaf/Polypropylene Composite

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHTWEIGHT EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE BLOCKS TEY LEE HUAN

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION AT RASHT CITY, IRAN

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA PRODUCTION OF XYLITOL FROM SAGO TRUNK HYDROLYSATE USING CANDIDA TROPICALIS NURUL LINA BINTI MOHAMAD

DEVELOPMENT OF BRICK FROM MUD FLOOD: MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY CHANGES MUHAMMAD IRFAN BIN SHAHRIN

PROPERTIES OF ASPHALTIC CONCRETE AC14 CONTAINING COCONUT SHELL AS COARSE AGGREGATE SITI NUR AMIERA BINTI JEFFRY

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF HYBRID CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE SPECIMEN

TENSILE, THERMAL AND FLAMMABILITY PROPERTIES OF DATE PALM FIBER FILLED RECYCLED TERNARY BLENDS AND COMPOSITES

THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PREPACKED CONCRETE CONTAINING PALM OIL FUEL ASH ABDOLHAMID VAHEDI

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

Experimental Evaluation of Tensile Strength and Young s Modulus of Woven Jute fiber and Polyurethane Composite

EFFECT OF CARBON BLACK ON THE PROPERTIES OF GRAPHITE- EPOXY COMPOSITE FOR BIPOLAR PLATE

Scientific Journal Impact Factor: (ISRA), Impact Factor: 2.114

This item is protected by original copyright

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA DEVELOPMENT OF A HEURISTIC PROCEDURE FOR BALANCING MIXED MODEL PARALLEL ASSEMBLY LINE TYPE II GHOLAMREZA ESMAEILIAN

Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Sandwich Composite: Effect of Core Layer

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND FABRICATION OF POROUS CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE/STARCH BASED BIO-COMPOSITE MATERIALS NUR NADIA BINTI MOHD NASIR

Signature :. Supervisor I. Date :. Supervisor II :.

Effect of Fiber Orientation and Loading on the Tensile Properties of Hardwickia Binata Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

FATIGUE PROPERTIES OF HEMP FIBRE COMPOSITES

FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF LAMINATED COMPOSITE PLATES WITH LOCALLY DELAMINATED INTERFACE SUBJECTED TO IMPACT LOADING SADDAM HUSSEIN ALI

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF HEIGHT COORDINATE USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE IMAGES BASED ON ORTHOMETRIC HEIGHT SYAMSUL ANUAR BIN ABU KASIM

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA NANO ALUMINA AND RADIATION EFFECT ON THERMO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE-HYDROXYAPATITE COMPOSITE

EFFECT OF PRECIPITATE HARDENING TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CAST ALUMINUM SILICON ALLOY (A356) BENJUNIOR BINDAMIN

Hybrid Composites: Study on Un-Treated Kenaf/Glass Fibre Properties

Tensile and Bending Properties of Jute Fabric/Mat Reinforced. Unsaturated Polyester Matrix Composites

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A HIGH PERFORMANCE NATURAL FIBER COMPOSITE BY SHEET MOLDING

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER NO. TITLE PAGE NO. LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

LIGNIN BIODEGRADATION BY Thermomyces lanuginosus EFB2 AND Aspergillus flavus EFB4 CO-CULTURE AND PURE CULTURE IN SOLID STATE FERMENTATION

International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 2, February ISSN

EFFECTS OF CYCLIC BOIL-DRY TREATMENT ON PROPERTIES OF BINTANGOR (Callophyllum sp) LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER

DEFLECTION MONITORING OF CAST IN-SITU BALANCED CANTILEVER PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BOX GIRDER BRIDGE MOHD KHAIRUL AZMAN BIN HAMBALI

Advances in Environmental Biology

FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF STEEL REINFORCED BRICK BEAM UTILIZING INTERLOCKING BRICK SYSTEM

THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF POST TENSIONED FLAT SLAB NURHIDAYAH BINTI ZAKARIA

ESTIMATION IN SPOT WELDING PARAMETERS USING GENETIC ALGORITHM HAFIZI BIM LUKMAN

RECOVERY OF HEAD OFFICE OVERHEADS DUE TO PROLONGATION OF TIME RAMLI BIN ISMAIL

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL ROUGHNESS INDEX (IRI) AND PRESENT SERVICEABILITY INDEX (PSI)

EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HEMP-RAMIE FIBERS REINFORCED WITH EPOXY HYBRID COMPOSITES

APPLICATION OF THE TRAVEL COST METHOD TO URBAN FORESTS IN JOHOR BAHRU NURUL SHAHIRAWATI BINTI MOHAMED ROSLI UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-COST FRICTION STIR WELDING AHMAD SYAZNI BIN ZAKARIA

OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN GREEN CONCRETE

Prof. Alcides Lopes Leäo Biocomposites on the Base of Thermoplastic Starch Filled by Wood and Kenaf Fiber

Effects of Alkali Treatment to Reinforcement on Tensile Properties of Curaua Fiber Green Composites

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA CHANGE DETECTION IN MANGROVE FOREST AREA USING LOCAL MUTUAL INFORMATION

Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia Nibong Tebal, SPS, Penang, Malaysia.

Mechanical Properties Of Sisal And Pineapple Fiber Hybrid Composites Reinforced With Epoxy Resin

AN EFFICIENT MICROCONTROLLER-BASED ELECTRONIC BALLAST FOR HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMPS USED IN STREET LIGHTING MOHD HAMIZAN BIN OMAR

CHAPTER 4 WATER ABSORPTION BEHAVIOR AND ACCELERATED AGING EFFECTS

SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS OF IMPROVED ORGANIC SOIL BY CALCIUM BASE STABILIZER NORLIZAWATI HASSAN

MEASUREMENT OF PERMEABILITY OF WOVEN JUTE FABRICS AND EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF JUTE FABRIC-REINFORCED COMPOSITES

A SENSOR ARRAY BASED ON PLANAR ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSORS FOR AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYAHRUL HISHAM BIN ABD. RAHMAN

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

THE EFFECT OF SUBSTRATE TEMPERATURE OF TITANIUM ALUMINIUM NITRIDE COATING ON TITANIUM ALLOY (TI-6AL-4V) SUBSTRATE USING PVD METHOD HAMID BAHADOR

CHAPTER 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

MASOUD GHEISARI A WEB BASED ENVIRONMENT FOR BUILDINGS LIFE CYCLE COST ANALYSIS 2007/2009

Available online at ScienceDirect. Procedia Manufacturing 2 (2015 )

EVALUATION OF RUSINEK-KLAPACZKO MODEL FOR HIGH STRAIN RATE RESPONSE OF STEEL SHEETS SHARIFAH NUR AI SHIKIN BT SYED NOH

Transcription:

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-TREATED SUGAR PALM (ARENGA PINNATA) FIBER REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES DANDI BACHTIAR FK 2008 11

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-TREATED SUGAR PALM (ARENGA PINNATA) FIBER-REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES DANDI BACHTIAR MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA 2008

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-TREATED SUGAR PALM (ARENGA PINNATA) FIBER REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES DANDI BACHTIAR Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science May 2008

DEDICATION My Father, Bachtiar Amin My Mother, Alima My Wife, Cut Helida And My Children, Muhammad Hadid Ghifary Muhammad Salman Alfarisi Siti Maghfira Azzahra ii

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKALI-TREATED SUGAR PALM (ARENGA PINNATA) FIBER REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES By DANDI BACHTIAR May 2008 Chairman : Professor Ir. Mohd. Sapuan b. Salit, PhD Faculty : Engineering The aims of this study is to determine the mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact properties) of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy polymer composite after introduce the alkali treatment to the Arenga pinnata fiber. The fiber was treated by alkali solution with 0.25 M and 0.5 M NaOH solution for 1 hr, 4 hrs, and 8 hrs soaking time. The fiber was mixed with with epoxy and hardener at 10% of volume with long random type of fiber arrangement. Hand lay up process in this experiments were to produce specimen test. The mechanical properties of those fibers are 466.07 MPa for the tensile strength and 3.9 GPa for the modulus, the tensile strength of the pure epoxy is 69.39 MPa and 2.3 GPa for the modulus. Results from the tests show that the improving mechanical properties of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy polymer were proven by using the alkali treatment. iii

The ultimate tensile strength took place at 0.25 M NaOH solution with 1-hour soaking time, i.e. 49.875 MPa, an improvement of 16.4% from untreated composite. The tensile modulus at this condition gave the improvement of 13.6% from untreated fiber composite. The ultimate flexural strength also occurred at 0.25 M NaOH solution with 1 hour of soaking time, i.e 96.71 MPa, an improvement of 24.42% from untreated fiber composite. However, the ultimate flexural modulus happened at 0.5 M NaOH solution with 4 hours soaking time, i.e. 6948 MPa; on improvement of 148% from untreated composite. The ultimate impact strength of treated Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite took place at 0.5 M NaOH solution with 8 hours soaking time, i.e. 60 J/m with improving of 9.8% from untreated composite. The SEM analysis has been conducted to provide the analysis on interface adhesion between the surfaces of fiber with the matrix. iv

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains SIFAT MEKANIKAL KEPADA KOMPOSIT EPOKSI BERTELULANG GENTIAN ARENGA PINNATA YANG MENDAPAT RAWATAN ALKALI Oleh DANDI BACHTIAR Mei 2008 Pengerusi : Profesor Ir. Mohd. Sapuan Salit, PhD Fakulti : Kejuruteraan Matlamat dalam kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan sifat mekanikal (tegangan, lentur dan impak) bagi gentian Arenga pinnata bertetulang komposit epoksi setelah mendapat rawatan alkali kepada gentian Arenga pinnata. Gentian mendapat rawatan 0.25 M dan 0.5 M larutan dengan masa perendaman 1 jam, 4 jam dan 8 jam. Gentian dicampurkan dengan komposit epoksi pada 10% daripada jumlah kandungan gentian Arenga pinnata. Eksperimen untuk membuat spesimen dikendalikan secara manual. Tegangan yang terjadi pada gentian Arenga pinnata tanpa rawatan adalah 466.07 MPa manakala tegangan modulusnya 3.9 GPa. Sedangkan tegangan pada epoksi sahaja adalah 69.39 MPa manakala tegangan modulus 2.3 GPa. Keputusan daripada ujian yang menunjukkan kenaikan sifat-sifat mekanikal daripada gentian Arenga pinnata bertetulang komposit epoksi telah dibuktikan dengan v

pemakaian rawatan alkali. Tegangan tertinggi terjadi pada rawatan 0.25 M alkali dengan waktu perendaman selama 1 jam, yaitu 49.875 MPa, dengan kenaikan sejumlah 16.4% dibandingkan dengan komposit tanpa rawatan gentian. Tegangan modulus memberikan kenaikan 13.6% dibandingkan dengan komposit tanpa rawatan. Lenturan tertinggi juga terjadi pada 0.25 M dan 1 jam perendaman, yaitu 96.71 MPa, dengan kenaikan 24.42% dibandingkan dengan komposit tanpa rawatan. Akan tetapi, lenturan modulus terjadi pada 0.5 M rawatan alkali dan 4 jam masa perendaman, yaitu 6948 MPa, dengan kenaikan sebesar 148% daripada komposit tanpa rawatan. Kekuatan impak tertinggi terjadi pada 0.5 M rawatan alkali dan 8 jam masa perendaman, yaitu 60 J/m dengan kenaikan 9.8% daripada komposit tanpa rawatan. Alat pengimbas mikro elektron telah digunakan untuk pemerhatian di antara permukaan gentian dan susunan matrik. vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Most of all, Praise be to Almighty Allah SWT who makes this work approaches to its final stage. I would not have been able to make it without His help. I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the supervisory committee: Chairman, Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd. Sapuan b. Salit and co-supervisor, Associate Professor Dr. Megat Mohamad Hamdan b. Megat Ahmad, for their supervision and guidance of this research, and their continuous support through out my study in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Special thanks are also due to Dr. Hasan Yudie Sastra and Dr. Paridah Md. Tahir for guiding and providing the facilities in my earlier works. Besides, I would like to express my deep gratitude and sincere thanks to Mr. Meor, Mr. Shaifuddin, Mr. Wildan, Mr. Shah and Mr. Faizal as technicians of the lab and workshop at Faculty of Engineering for their valuable assistance. Last but not least, thanks to mother, brothers, sisters and my wife and children for their continous inspiration and encouragement to complete my project thesis. I convey my thanks to all of my colleagues, friends, housemate and UPM support staff. vii

I certify that an Examination Committee has met on 30 October 2007 to conduct the final examination of Dandi Bachtiar on his Master of Science thesis entitled Mechanical Properties Of Alkali-Treated Sugar Palm (Arenga Pinnata) Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites In accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulation 1981. The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows: Napsiah Ismail, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Ir. Barkawi Sahari, PhD Professor Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA) Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Luqman Chuah Abdullah, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Luay Bakir Hussain, PhD Associate Professor School of Material & Mineral Resource Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia (External Examiner) HASANAH MOHD. GHAZALI, PhD Professor/Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia. Date: 28 April 2008 viii

This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follows: Ir. Mohd. Sapuan Salit, PhD Professor Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Megat Mohamad Hamdan B. Megat Ahmad, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) AINI IDERIS, PhD Professor and Dean School Of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 8 May 2008 ix

DECLARATION I declare that the thesis is my original work except for quotations and citations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously and is not concurrently, submitted for any other degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia or at any other institution. DANDI BACHTIAR Date: 16 March 2008 x

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION ABSTRACT ABSTRAK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPROVAL DECLARATION LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ii iii v vii viii x xiii xiv xvii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 1.1 Background 1.1 1.2 Problem Statement 1.3 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1.3 1.4 Scope of the Study 1.4 1.5 Structure of the Thesis 1.4 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 2.1 Introduction 2.1 2.2 Polymer Composite Material 2.2 2.3 Epoxy Resin 2.4 2.4 Natural Fiber 2.6 2.4.1 Chemical Composition of Natural Fibers 2.10 2.4.2 Arenga pinnata Fiber and Arenga pinnata Fiber 2.12 Composite 2.5 Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced 2.14 Composites 2.5.1 Tensile Properties 2.16 2.5.2 Flexural Properties 2.18 2.5.3 Impact Properties 2.20 2.6 Alkali Treatment 2.21 2.6.1 Influence of the Alkali Treatment on a Natural Fiber 2.22 2.6.2 Influence of the Alkali Treatment on the 2.24 Mechanical Properties of Composites 2.7 The Manufacturing of Composites 2.29 2.7.1 Hand Lay-up Process 2.29 2.7.2 Constitutive Equation of Stress-Strain Behaviour of 2.31 Composite 2.7.3 Rule of Mixture (ROM) 2.34 2.8 Failure Mechanism for Composites 2.32 xi

2.9 Summary 2.33 3 METHODOLOGY 3.1 3.1 Introduction 3.1 3.2 Preparation of Materials 3.2 3.2.1 Arenga pinnata Fiber 3.3 3.2.2 Epoxy Resin 3.4 3.2.3 Sodium Hydroxide Solution 3.5 3.3 Preparation of Preliminary Testing 3.6 3.3.1 Procedure for Determining Lignin Content 3.6 3.3.2 Procedure for Determining Holocellulose Content 3.7 3.3.3 Procedure for Determining α-cellulose Content 3.8 3.3.4 Determination of Tensile Strength of Single fiber 3.10 3.4 Treatment Parameters 3.11 3.5 Fabrication of Composites 3.12 3.6 Testing Methods 3.14 3.6.1 Tensile Test 3.15 3.6.2 Flexural Test 3.16 3.6.3 Impact Test 3.17 3.6.4 Morphology Study of Fracture Surface 3.19 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 4.1 Introduction 4.1 4.2 Composition of Arenga pinnata Fiber 4.2 4.3 Morphological Analysis of Arenga pinnata Fiber 4.3 4.4 Tensile Strength of Arenga pinnata Fiber 4.6 4.4 Tensile Testing fot the Composites 4.7 4.4.1 Tensile Strength 4.9 4.4.2 Tensile Modulus 4.12 4.5 Flexural Testing 4.14 4.5.1 Flexural Strength 4.16 4.5.2 Flexural Modulus 4.17 4.6 Impact Testing 4.19 4.7 SEM Analysis for Fracture of Composite after Tensile Testing 4.23 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 5.1 FUTURE WORKS 5.1 Conclusions 5.1 5.2 Recommendations for Future Works 5.2 REFERENCES APPENDICES BIODATA OF THE STUDENT LIST OF PUBLICATIONS R.1 A.1 D.1 E.1 xii

LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Influence of flexibilisers on epoxy resins 2.6 2.2 Mechanical properties of natural fibres compared to conventional composite reinforcing fibres (Bledzki and Gassan, 1999) 2.8 2.3 Chemical composition of natural fibers 2.11 3.1 Properties of epoxy resin 3.4 4.1 Chemical composition of Arenga pinnata fiber 4.2 4.2 The experimental result of tensile properties of Arenga pinnata fiber 4.3 The tensile properties of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composites 4.4 The flexural properties of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite 4.5 The average impact properties of Arenga pinnata epoxy composite 4.7 4.8 4.15 4.19 xiii

LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 2.1 Structure of unmodified epoxy prepolymer (Wikipedia, 2007) 2.2 Stress-strain curve of natural fibers (Satyanarayana et al., 1999) 2.3 Structural constitution of natural fiber cell (Rong et al., 2001) 2.5 2.8 2.11 2.4 Arenga pinnata tree 2.13 2.5 The three point bending flexural test 2.19 2.6 SEM micrographs of grass fibers (Liu et al., 2004-a) 2.24 2.7 Lamina with unidirectional fibers (Cristescu et al., 2004) 2.31 3.1 The flow chart for the experimental procedure 3.2 3.2 The bundles of Arenga pinnata fiber 3.3 3.3 Epoxy resin with hardener 3.4 3.4 The sodium hydroxide solution with concentration 1 M 3.5 3.5 The tensile test on single Arenga pinnata fiber 3.11 3.6 The mold of making specimen 3.12 3.7 The composite as a plate before cutting for the specimen testing 3.13 3.8 Schematic diagram of a tensile test 3.16 3.9 Instron 5566 machine for tensile and flexural testing 3.16 3.10 Schematic diagram of flexural test (ASTM D790-99) 3.17 3.11 Izod Impact Tester 3.18 3.12 Three type of testing specimen after loading 3.18 3.13 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) PHILIPS XL30 3.19 xiv

4.1 The SEM micrograph of (a) untreated Arenga pinnata fiber and (b) treated Arenga pinnata fiber in 0.25 M NaOH with 1 hr soaking time 4.2 The SEM micrograph of (a) treated Arenga pinnata fiber in 0.25 M NaOH with 4 hrs. soaking time and (b) treated Arenga pinnata fiber in 0.25 M NaOH with 8 hrs. soaking time. 4.3 The SEM micrograph of (a) treated Arenga pinnata fiber in 0.5 M NaOH with 1 hr. soaking time and (b) treated Arenga pinnata fiber in 0.5 M NaOH with 8 hrs. soaking time. 4.4 Average tensile strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs alkali concentration 4.5 Average tensile strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs soaking time 4.6 Average tensile modulus of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs concentration of alkali 4.7 Average tensile modulus of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs soaking time 4.8 Average flexural strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs alkali concentration 4.9 Average flexural strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs soaking time 4.10 Average flexural modulus of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs alkali concentration 4.11 Average flexural modulus of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs soaking time 4.12 Average impact strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs alkali concentration 4.13 Average impact strength of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite vs alkali concentration 4.14 SEM micrographs for untreated Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite fracture after tensile loading 4.15 SEM micrographs for treated 0.25 M NaOH Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite fracture after tensile loading 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.9 4.10 4.13 4.13 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.20 4.23 4.23 xv

4.16 SEM micrographs for treated 0.5 M NaOH Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite fracture after tensile loading 4.24 xvi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ABBREVIATIONS ASTM CO 2 ESEM FTIR NaOH RTM SEM UB UD XPS American Society for Testing and Materials Carbon Dioxide Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Fourier Transfer Infra Red Natrium Hydroxide or Sodium Hydroxide Resin Transfer Molding Scanning Electron Microscope Unit Break Uni Directional X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy NOMENCLATURE A Cross sectional area of test specimen (mm 2 ) A D E F S τ L Concentration of solution (M) Distance between grip (mm) Tensile modulus of test specimen (Pa) Pulling force applied on test specimen (N) Tensile stress of specimen (Pa) Support span (mm) xvii

P V b d ε σ σ max Load at yield (N) Volume of concentration (litre) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Strain of test specimen Stress applied on test specimen (Pa) Flexural strength (Pa) xviii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Recently, growing environmental awareness has resulted in a renewed interest in the use of natural material for many applications. This paradigm has forced industries like automotive, packaging and construction to search for new materials to make the conventional composite materials be a environmentally friendly material. The composite materials mostly nowadays employed well-established fibers such as glass, carbon and aramid as the reinforcement. These inorganic fibers present disadvantages like their non-biodegradability, expensive, abrasive and nonrenewable. Compared to inorganic reinforcing fibers, natural fibers have a number of benefits, including low density and bio-degradability, less abrasiveness, lower cost and renewable. Natural fiber composites are likely to be environmentally superior to glass fiber composites in most cases (Joshi et al., 2004). Several natural fibers like jute, pine, sisal, flax, hemp, kenaf, coir, and abaca have been used by researchers to replace the inorganic fibers (glass, aramid and carbon) in reinforced composites (Wambua et al, 2003). So far, a good number of automotive components previously made by glass fiber composites are now being manufactured using natural fiber reinforced composites (Sapuan, 2007).

Unfortunately, several disadvantages of natural fibers such as thermal and mechanical degradation during processing can make them undesirable for certain applications. Natural fiber reinforced composites also have several drawbacks such as poor wettability, incompatibility with some polymeric matrices and high moisture absorption by the fibers. The main problem often encountered in its use is the fibermatrix adhesion problem that is incompatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic polymer matrix. This problem may be improved by fibersurface chemically treatment. Alkali treatment is a common method to clean and modify the fiber surface to lower surface tension and enhance interfacial adhesion between a natural fiber and a polymeric matrix (Bledzki et al., 1999). Several publications have discussed the effects of alkali treatment on structure and properties of natural fibers such as kenaf, hemp (Aziz and Ansell, 2004), flax (Weyenberg et al., 2006), jute (Ray et al., 2002), and sisal ( Rong et al., 2001). In this research, natural fiber that is ijuk fiber (Arenga pinnata or Arenga saccharifera) is used as a suitable candidate to reinforce polymer matrix in composite. Ijuk fiber is a kind of natural fiber that comes from Arenga pinnata plant, a forest plant that can be found enormously in Southeast Asia like Indonesia and Malaysia. This fiber seems to have properties like other natural fibers, but the detail properties are not generally known yet. Generally, ijuk has desirable properties like strength and stiffness and its traditional applications include paint brush, septic tank base filter, clear water filter, door mat, carpet, rope, chair/sofa cushion, and for fish nest to hatch its eggs (Suwartapraja, 2003). In this study an attempt is made to highlight the potential use of this natural fiber in reinforcing polymer composites. 1.2

Previous study (Siregar, 2005) on the tensile and flexural properties of ijuk epoxy composites is concerned with the woven roving, long random and chopped random ijuk epoxy composites and it is found that the woven roving ijuk epoxy composites gave better properties compared to long random and chopped random fiber composites. However, all the samples showed inferior properties compared with the glass fiber epoxy composites (Deng et al., 1999). Hence, the treatment of fiber is needed to improve the materials. 1.2 Problem Statement The Arenga pinnata fiber composites still show inferior properties compared with the glass fiber epoxy composites. Therefore, extended work is needed to improve the performance of composites. One of the improvement steps is the treatment of Arenga pinnata fiber. In this work, the alkali treatment is used for the improvement of the properties of composites. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The objectives of this study are as follows: 1. To investigate the mechanical properties and chemical content of Arenga pinnata fiber. 2. To investigate the influence of alkali treatment on the morphological characteristics of ijuk fiber. 3. To investigate the influence of alkali treatment on tensile, flexural and impact properties of ijuk fiber reinforced epoxy composites. 1.3

1.4 Scope of the Study Improvement of the mechanical properties of ijuk fiber reinforced epoxy composites is investigated. Research is conducted for the fiber treatment i.e. alkalization and examination of the effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties i.e. tensile, flexural and impact strength of the composites and the results are compared with those untreated fiber composites. 1.5 Structure of the Thesis Chapter 1 gives the background of studies, and also presents the objectives of the study. A literature survey of research work in various areas relevant to this research is presented in Chapter 2. The survey started with a comprehensive literature survey on the manufacturing and properties of composite products made out of natural fiber and plastic. A review of the physical and mechanical properties of Arenga pinnata fiber is also included in this chapter. The methodology of the study is described in Chapter 3. This chapter presents techniques to determine the chemical content of Arenga pinnata fiber, technique to determine the mechanical (tensile strength) properties of Arenga pinnata fiber, techniques of the preparation of composites and the determination of mechanical properties of composites. This chapter also presents the techniques of the alkali treatment and the techniques of the morphological properties of the broken composites. 1.4

Chapter 4 described the results and discussion of the study. This chapter discussed the mechanical properties of the composites such as tensile, flexural, and impact tests. The results from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were also included in this chapter. Finally, the conclusions and recommendations for further works are presented in Chapter 5. 1.5