Effects on MAPP Compatibilizer on Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Core Fibre/Graphene Nanoplatelets reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Natural fibre has high potential to be used as reinforcement due to more save, greener and environmentally friendly compared to synthetic fibre. In this research, kenaf core fibre (KCF)-graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were melt blending using Brabender internal mixer and fabricated by compression moulding. This research aims to fabricate and study the effect of different amounts of MAPP on the mechanical properties of the PP/KCF/GNP composites. The difference amount of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a compatibilizer in hybrid composite was added to enhance the mechanical properties by improving the interfacial adhesion of matrix and KCF. The pure polypropylene (PP) matrix was used as a control. The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural test) were determined using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Overall, the results show that the presence of MAPP compatibilizer successfully enhanced the mechanical properties as a result of improvement of the fibre-matrix adhesion between the KCF and PP matrix.

An Experimental Investigation on Melt Flow Index and Water Absorption of rHIPS/ABS/Kenaf Composite

“…Thus, it cannot be concluded that increasing composition of MAPP compatibiliser is directly proportional to improve the composite flow or viscosity. A study conducted by Sabri et al, [18] varying MAPP between 1-7 wt.% in kenaf/graphene/PP composite showed fluctuation of percent in elongation at break indicating that the addition of MAPP has no direct effect on the flow or softening of the composite. Junaedi et al, [19] found that addition MAPP in short carbon fibre/PP composite up to 15 wt.% loading increases the ductility, however at 35 wt.% loading has no change in ductility but slightly drop in strength and modulus.…”