Effect of surface treatment on the mechanical properties of sugar palm/glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane hybrid composites

• Main Authors: Mohd Afdzaluddin, Atiqah, Jawaid, Mohammad, Salit, Mohd Sapuan, Ishak, Mohamad Ridzwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: North Carolina State University 2018
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/72457/1/Effect%20of%20surface%20treatment%20on%20the%20mechanical%20properties%20of%20sugar%20palm.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/72457/; https://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/view/BioRes_13_1_1174_Afzaluddin_Surface_Treatment_Mechanical_Properties_Polyurethane_Hybrid_Composites

Effects of various surface modifications were evaluated relative to the mechanical properties of sugar palm fiber/glass fiber (SPF/GF) reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) hybrid composites. The 6 wt.% alkaline, 2 wt.% silane, and combined 6 wt.% alkaline-2 wt.% silane treatment of SPF were carried out for 3 h to improve the fiber/matrix interaction of SPF/GF with TPU. The SPF and GF were fixed at 30 wt.% and 10 wt.% fiber loading, respectively, and were fabricated using the melt compounding method followed by hot compression in a moulding machine. Mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural, and impact strength, were evaluated using a universal testing machine and an Izod impact tester. The untreated and treated hybrid composites were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. The tensile, flexural, and impact strength of the combined 6 wt. % alkaline-2 wt. % silane treatment was improved 16%, 39%, and 18%, respectively, as compared to the untreated SPF/GF reinforced TPU hybrid composites. Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a good fiber and matrix interfacial bonding in the hybrid composites. Thus, this treated hybrid composites could be suitable for fabricating automotive parts.