Mechanical Properties of “Mengkuang” Fibre Reinforced Composite

• Main Author: Wan Nadhari, Wan Noor Azleen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: IRC 2016
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/17057/1/FYP%20DISSERTATION%2015904.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/17057/

A natural fibre reinforced polymer is a composite material consists of a polymer matrix with natural fibre reinforcement. Due to its low cost, eco-friendly, light weight and high strength characteristics, natural fibre can replace the synthetic fibre. Traditionally, mengkuang leaves are used for making ropes and woven hand-crafts. Mengkuang leaves which are abundant in Malaysia have not been process as reinforcement for composite. The study of mechanical properties of mengkuang leaves reinforced composite is almost non-existence. Hence, the objective of this project was to evaluate the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/mengkuang leave composite which include tensile, flexural and impact properties. PP was used as matrix while mengkuang leave was used as natural fibre reinforcement. To fabricate the specimens, extrusion and injection moulding techniques were employed. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were done according to their respective ASTM standards. Compositions of 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40 wt.% (PP/mengkuang fibre) were compared with neat PP. Mengkuang leave was cut into an average dimension of 7.5 mm X 1 mm before processing. Both tensile and flexural properties showed some improvements in the composite compared to neat PP.