Source abstract
Abstract
The effect of different concentrations of epoxy surface coating treatment on the thermal and mechanical properties of kenaf fiber reinforced recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) (RPET) composites was studied. Silane-treated kenaf fibers (SKF) were epoxy-coated with optimized coating concentrations (in the ratios of 1:4, 1:5, and 1:6 epoxy to acetone solutions) to improve the thermal degradation/decomposition resistance and interfacial bonding with RPET matrix. The different epoxy coated-silane treated kenaf fibers 1:4 ESKF, 1:5 ESKF, and 1:6 ESKF were compounded with RPET at an optimized temperature of 240°C, and their constituents’ composites KF/RPET, 1:4 ESKF/RPET, 1:5 ESKF/RPET, and 1:6 ESKF/RPET were subjected to thermal, mechanical and microstructural investigation. The obtained results showed some remarkable effects of epoxy concentrations on the chemical and surface structures of the treated fibers. Thermal properties of both ESKF and ESKF/RPET composites were more stable and improved with different concentrations of epoxy treatment compared to the untreated counterparts. 1:4 ESKF and 1:5 ESKF were the most thermally stable with onset degradation and DTG decomposition temperatures of 331.6°C and 381.7°C, and 324.0°C and 388.7°C respectively. Mechanical properties of the epoxy-coated composites were higher and further improved with epoxy concentrations and fiber loadings compared to uncoated composites. Hence, the epoxy concentration of 1:4 gave the maximum tensile and impact properties, and at 10 wt. % fiber loading within the lower loading regions, followed by 1:5 with outstanding flexural properties. The coated-treated composites showed strong fiber/matrix bonding with no evidence of fiber decomposition compared to the untreated composites with poor fiber/matrix interaction. The current research findings are original and valid for improving the thermal degradation resistance and stability of natural fibers, and the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced engineering thermoplastic composites. The epoxy coated – silane-treated textile kenaf fibers reinforced with recycled PET composites have the potentials to be utilized in high-temperature industrial and engineering applications.
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Affiliations
School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
Department of Polymer and Textile Technology, School of Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria
Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Centre of Polymer Composites Research and Technology, Institute of Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
School of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Owerri, Nigeria