Kenaf Reinforced PLA Composite Thermoforming: A Numerical Simulation

Abstract

Recent manufacturing developments, which focus on optimum product fabrication technique, including thermoforming, are time-consuming and cost-effective. Fundamental studies of the thermoforming process; especially in a uni-directional direction of Kenaf fiber composite, are still in their preliminary stages. Hence, a numerical simulation is performed to minimize experimental conduct. PAM-FORM software is used to model and simulate the thermoforming process, by studying the effects of processing parameters on the results of the simulation. The optimum thermoforming process parameters, in terms of temperature, puncher speed, puncher radius and composite thickness are determined via the design of the experiments. The output parameters, including composite thinning, shear angle and stress are analysed to identify the wrinkling defects, which are further analysed using Design-Expert software. The results demonstrate that, a temperature of 120 °C, a puncher speed of 28.78 m/s, a puncher radius and composite thickness of 4 mm and 2 mm, respectively is able to achieve minimum thinning and minimal shear angle during the thermoforming process.

The Effect of Alkali Treatment on Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Kenaf Fiber and Polymer Epoxy Composites

“…The degradation of the kenaf fibers exhibits three stages: Based on the graft, a slight mass loss was observed below 200 °C which may be attributed to evaporation of absorbed moisture. Theoretically, the moisture starts to evaporate at a temperature of 80 °C because it is difficult to totally eliminate the water even though the kenaf was dried in an oven before running the TGA analysis [ 16 , 31 ]. Table 2 shows that treated fibers have less mass loss than untreated kenaf fibers.…”

Effects of High-Temperature Exposure on the Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Composites

“…As shown in Figure 2, at the temperature range of 60 to 120 • C, the kenaf/PP composites were able to achieve a maximal tensile strength that ranged from 70 to 90 MPa, which is sufficient for automotive parts (e.g., a trunk cover or dashboard) that require a tensile strength of around 30 MPa [2,15]. These findings indicated that kenaf/PP composites are appropriate to be used, given that the applied temperature (60 to 120 • C) was near that of other commercial composite products used in high-temperature applications that can offer better mechanical properties [18]. Furthermore, Figure 2 demonstrates that, as the orientation angle increased from 0 • to 45 • and 90 • , tensile strength dropped dramatically, from~90 to~20 MPa, even though theoretically, the fibers being aligned in one direction within the composite materials should enhance their mechanical properties [7,27].…”

“…Hence, these processes can be implemented elsewhere, for example, in dashboard panels and trunk covers. Prior research exhibited that adapting the compression-molding process aids in developing an aligned kenaf composite [ 18 ]. Thus, it strengthens the mechanical properties of kenaf composites, as its performance can be altered according to manufacturers’ needs.…”

Physicomechanical Properties of Nanobiocomposite Composed of Polylactic Acid and Biogenic Nano hydroxyapatite

“…PLA is considerably studied as a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer for potential applications in bone tissue engineering. The advantages of PLA are its bioresorbability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, versatility and ease of manufacturing [1,5] Though, PLA alone often does not have the mechanical strength required for loading application, lack of ability to integrate with the bone and discharge acidic degradation products that may have adverse effects on the tissue response [6]. Alternatively, some research has reported that pure polymer implants ordered for bone reconstruction were not practical [7].…”

“…There are insufficient publications involving injection moulding of PLA/n-HAP nanobiocomposite systems composed of PLA and biogenic n-HAP. Consequently, it would be fascinating and significant to explore the properties of injection molded PLA/n-HAP nanocomposites, which could provide a good groundwork for the fabrication of PLA-based biomedical composite with good inclusive performance [5]. Therefore, injection moulding technology was employed to fabricate PLA/n-HAP nanocomposite in this current research.…”