Oil and Water Absorption Behavior of TPU/Natural Fibers Composites

Abstract

Fruit skins are waste and natural fibers which are processed from it can be used as filler material in polymer composites. These natural fibers are surely inexpensive, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. In the other hand, natural fibers are chemically hydrophilic and absorb water. Their nature which are rich cellulose making it hydrophilic in nature. Besides their nature to water, the ability of natural fibers to absorb oil also interesting to be studied. In this paper, natural fibers from several types of fruit skin were used as filler in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. The fibers from pineapple skin, coconut shell, coconut husk, corn cob, rambutan, mangoesteen and banana with the percentage of 15% and 20% were incorporated with TPU through melt mixing technique. Every type of natural fiber will absorb oil and water at different rate, as well as the effect of filler content in the composite. Overall, the absorption of water and oil increased its percentage when the filler content increases. Rambutan, pineapple and banana absorb more water than others at 20% filler content in the TPU. Pineapple and rambutan also tend to absorb more engine oil.

Tensile Strength on Seven Type of Fruits Skin Fiber Thermoplastic Poyurethane (TPU)

“…1 (b)). The superior mechanical properties of those natural fibers are associated with its high cellulose and lignocelluloses [4]. Among various natural fibers, pineapples exhibit excellent mechanical properties and this also proved by Indra [5].…”

On the role of capillary and viscous forces on wear and frictional performances of natural fiber composites under lubricated polishing

“…This indicates that the lubrication and sliding speed conditions have an impact on the induced mechanical damages of the flax fibers which is probably related to their absorption properties. Indeed, as explained in section 1, flax fibers can absorb water and oil from the external environment [16,17]. This Sliding speed Dry Water Oil liquid absorption leads to reduce the elastic properties of flax fibers by provoking their plasticization [51].…”

“…The absorbed water molecules can affect the physical and the mechanical properties of natural fibers and their composites at different scale levels by plasticizing the polymeric fiber components, modifying the cellulosic arrangement, and hydrolyzing the polymer matrix near the interfaces [11][12][13][14][15]. Few literature reports indicate that natural fibers can absorb oil [16,17]. This oleophilic property allows them to be used as natural adsorbent material for the removal of oil spills [18][19][20].…”

Characteristics of Natural Fiber Composites Materials Reinforced with Aluminum and Copper Powder for The Performance of Automatic Motorcycle Clutch Pad

“…The ability of composites reinforced with polyester resins to absorb water through absorption tests has been investigated [25]. In addition, the ability of fruit fiber composites to absorb water and oil has been evaluated for biomedical applications [26]. The ability of reinforced natural materials to absorb oil also needs attention, especially for brake and clutch pad materials.…”