Effect of sodium hydroxide on the tensile properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites

Abstract

Global warming, environmental changes, and other problems have been increasing in the last decade. Researchers and scholars want to safeguard life on the earth by making ecofriendly products, like natural composite materials. Natural fibre is environmentally valuable because of its biodegradable nature. However, there is a serious problem caused by the incompatibility between fibre and matrix. In this work, sugar palm fibre was combined with thermoplastic polyurethane composites after treatment with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide from 2 to 6% to enhance the compatibility between them. An extrusion machine was used to combine 30% by weight of the sugar palm fibre and 70% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane composites. The temperature, rotation velocity, and fibre size were fixed at (180-190-200°C), 40 rpm and 250 µm respectively. The composite was characterized according to ASTM D638. The sodium hydroxide treatment of the fibre could provide a good tensile modulus of 440 MPa at 2% of NaOH, and strain of 41.6% at 6% NaOH of the composite. However, the tensile strength was decreased, where the highest amount of 5.49 MPa recorded at 6% NaOH. Meanwhile, the tensile modulus and strain of the composites are found to be much better than those of untreated ones. In contrast, the tensile strength was still not improved.

Effect of seaweed on physical properties of thermoplastic sugar palm starch/agar composites

“…In our previous work, incorporation of agar into thermoplastic sugar palm starch has successfully improved the mechanical properties of this biopolymer, which was also accompanied with the enhanced thermal stability [7]. Application of natural filler into polymer composites is a practical solution to enhance the properties of the composites while improving the environmental characteristics of the material as well [8][9][10]. Various natural fillers have been used in previous work such as snail shell, seashell, olive pit, oil palm shell, and coconut shell [11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…The ratio of starch, agar, and glycerol for TPSA was maintained at 70:30:30. Seaweed with various contents (10,20,30, and 40 wt.%) were mixed with TPSA matrix via melt mixing before compression were molded into 3 mm plate at 140 o C for 10 minutes. The prepared laminates were characterized for moisture absorption, water absorption, thickness swelling, water solubility, and density.…”

The performance of mengkuang leaf fiber reinforced low density polyethylene composites

“…Natural fibers are preferred due to its advantages such as low cost, low density, low abrasion towards tools and its degradability compared to petroleum based product [7][8][9]. The studies regarding natural fiber reinforced composite focused on the interface between matrix and filler, morphologies, mechanical properties and thermal properties [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The concern for environmental issues such as ingestion of plastic by animals has sparked the necessity to study about natural fibres to replace synthetic fibres [17].…”

Toughness analysis of pineapple leaves fiber composite as alternative material for SNI helmet

“…Based on research result, the increase in absorption energy and impact strength is also influenced by the NaOH treatment during the process of making fibers. According to previous research, NaOH solution was used to separate fibers from cellulose and lignin and remove impurities that adhere to the fibers, so it can increased the attachment of fibers and matrix which results in more unity and strength [18]. This is consistent with the opinion of other researchers who says that the reduced hemicellulose, lignin or pectin, the fiber hardness by the matrix will be better, so that the interface strength will increased, and will increase surface roughness which results in better mechanical interlocking [19].…”