Sains Malaysiana 47(6)(2018): 1285–1291

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4706-25

The Effects of Maleic Anhydride Grafted PP (MAPP) on the Mechanical Properties of Injection Moulded Kenaf/CNTs/PP Composites

(Kesan Maleik Anhidrida Disaluti PP ke atas Sifat Mekanik bagi Pengacuan Suntikan Komposit Kenaf/CNT/PP)

ZAKARIA RAZAK, ABU BAKAR SULONG*, NORHAMIDI MUHAMAD, CHE HASSAN CHE HARON, MOHD KHAIROL FADZLY MD RADZI, DULINA THOLIBON, IZDIHAR THARAZI & NUR FARHANI ISMAIL

Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Received: 7 June 2017/Accepted: 8 February 2018

ABSTRACT

Composite materials have increasingly become crucial in manufacturing engineering products and producing commodity materials in the major industries including; automotive, aerospace, marine, construction, agriculture and health science. However, several improvements regarding the strength, dimensional stability and the cost of production are required. In this study, composite of Kenaf, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and polypropylene (PP) with maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) are examined. The results highlight that increasing MAPP loading, in turn, increases the value of the mechanical properties. The composites are produced by blending kenaf/MWCNT/PP using a Sigma blade mixer and injection moulding. Injection moulding is a significant operation used to produce plastic products. In the study, Kenaf core fibre was mixed with MWCNT and polypropylene, in addition to MAPP. The MAPP is added by applying different percentage (1, 2, 3 and 4 wt. %) during the blending process. The main objective of the study was to analyse the effects of MAPP concentrations on the mechanical properties of the Kenaf/MWCNT/PP composite. The results of the study established that MAPP 3 wt. % concentration with MWCNT 3 wt. % loading and Kenaf 30 wt. % filler provide optimum results for the composites. There was approximately, a 21% enhance in tensile strength of Kenaf 30 wt. %/MWCNT, 3 wt. %/MAPP, 3 wt. %/PP observed compared to the (without) MAPP composite. The composites with coupling agent stimulate better filler dispersion between Kenaf, MWCNT and PP observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM).

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; compatibilizer; injection moulding; mechanical properties; natural fibres

ABSTRAK

Bahan komposit menjadi semakin penting dalam pembuatan produk kejuruteraan dan menghasilkan bahan-bahan komoditi dalam industri utama termasuk; automotif, aeroangkasa, marin, pembinaan, pertanian dan sains kesihatan. Walau bagaimanapun, beberapa penambahbaikan mengenai kekuatan, kestabilan dimensi dan kos pengeluaran diperlukan. Dalam kajian ini, komposit kenaf, karbon nanotiub pelbagai dinding (MWCNT) dan polipropilena (PP) dengan maleat anhidrida disaluti PP (MAPP) dikaji. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa peningkatan beban MAPP, pada gilirannya, meningkatkan nilai sifat mekanik. Komposit dihasilkan dengan penggabungan PP/MWCNT/Kenaf menggunakan pencampur bilah Sigma dan pengacuan suntikan. Pengacuan suntikan adalah operasi penting yang digunakan untuk menghasilkan produk plastik. Dalam kajian ini, serat teras kenaf telah dicampur dengan MWCNT dan polipropilena, sebagai tambahan kepada MAPP. MAPP ditambah dengan menggunakan peratusan yang berlainan (1, 2, 3 dan 4 % bt.) semasa proses pengadunan. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kesan kepekatan MAPP terhadap sifat mekanik komposit PP/MWCNT/Kenaf. Keputusan kajian mendapati bahawa kepekatan 3 % bt. MAPP dengan beban 3 % bt. MWCNT dan pengisi 30 % bt. kenaf memberikan hasil optimum untuk komposit. Terdapat kira-kira 21% peningkatan dalam kekuatan tegangan pada PP/ 3 % bt. MAPP/ 3 % bt. MWCNT/ 30 % bt. Kenaf telah diperhatikan berbanding dengan (tanpa) komposit MAPP. Komposit dengan ejen gandingan merangsang penyebaran pengisi yang lebih baik antara Kenaf, MWCNT dan PP yang diamati dengan menggunakan mikroskop elektron pengimbas (SEM) dan mikroskop elektron pengimbas pelepasan medan (FESEM).

Kata kunci: Acuan suntikan; gentian semula jadi; karbon nanotiub; pengserasi; sifat mekanik

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*Corresponding author; email: abubakar@ukm.edu.my