Preparation and Characterization of Crushed Sponge Gourd (Luffa Cylindrica) Fibre Reinforced Polystyrene Composites

Abdulrahman Musa, Muhammad Abubakar Lawal, Hamza Abba

Abstract


In this study, crushed luffa cylindrica fibres were used to modify polystyrene matrix PS using compression moulding system. The fibres were alkaline treated with (5% conc.) NaOH. The treated and untreated fibres were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy FTIR. Different weight fractions of the matrix to the treated fibre; 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10 were prepared respectively. The water absorption behaviour was observed and recorded for the composites. The morphological changes on the surface of the fibre before and after the chemical treated was investigated, using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Finally, the effect of fibre reinforcements on the flexural strength of the different weight ratio of the composites was found to be within the ranges of 4.25 to 1.37 N/mm2, with the material having a weight percentage of 80:20 showing the optimum strength value with the magnitude of 4.25 N/mm2. The successful enhancement of the flexural strength of this thermoplastic can be employed in the production of environmentally disposable high strength packing material.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Ahankari, S. S., Mohanty, A. K., & Misra, M. (2011). Mechanical behaviour of agro-residue reinforced poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), (PHBV) green composites: A comparison with traditional polypropylene composites. Composites Science and Technology, 71(5), 653-657. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.01.007

Arpitha, G. R., & Yogesha, B. (2017). An Overview on Mechanical Property Evaluation of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymers. Materials Today: Proceedings, 4(2, Part A), 2755-2760. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2017.02.153

Arrakhiz, F. Z., El Achaby, M., Kakou, A. C., Vaudreuil, S., Benmoussa, K., Bouhfid, R., . . . Qaiss, A. (2012). Mechanical properties of high density polyethylene reinforced with chemically modified coir fibers: Impact of chemical treatments. Materials & Design, 37, 379-383. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.01.020

Bujjibabu, G., Das, V. C., Ramakrishna, M., & Nagarjuna, K. (2018). Mechanical And Water Absorption Behavior Of Natural Fibers Reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(5, Part 2), 12249-12256. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2018.02.202

Ching, Y. C., Chuah, C. H., Ching, K. Y., Abdullah, L. C., & Rahman, A. (2017). 5 - Applications of thermoplastic-based blends. In P. M. Visakh, G. Markovic, & D. Pasquini (Eds.), Recent Developments in Polymer Macro, Micro and Nano Blends (pp. 111-129): Woodhead Publishing.

El Mechtali, F. Z., Essabir, H., Nekhlaoui, S., Bensalah, M. O., Jawaid, M., Bouhfid, R., & Qaiss, A. (2015). Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene reinforced with almond shells particles: Impact of chemical treatments. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 12(3), 483-494. doi:10.1016/s1672-6529(14)60139-6

Fu, S.-Y., Feng, X.-Q., Lauke, B., & Mai, Y.-W. (2008). Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate–polymer composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 39(6), 933-961. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2008.01.002

Gironès, J., Lopez, J. P., Vilaseca, F., Bayer R, J., Herrera-Franco, P. J., & Mutjé, P. (2011). Biocomposites from Musa textilis and polypropylene: Evaluation of flexural properties and impact strength. Composites Science and Technology, 71(2), 122-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.012

Hao, L. C., Sapuan, S. M., Hassan, M. R., & Sheltami, R. M. (2018). 2 - Natural fiber reinforced vinyl polymer composites. In S. M. Sapuan, H. Ismail, & E. S. Zainudin (Eds.), Natural Fibre Reinforced Vinyl Ester and Vinyl Polymer Composites (pp. 27-70): Woodhead Publishing.

Kim, N. K., Dutta, S., & Bhattacharyya, D. (2018). A review of flammability of natural fibre reinforced polymeric composites. Composites Science and Technology, 162, 64-78. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.04.016

Lai, S.-M., Kao, Y.-H., Liu, Y.-K., & Chiu, F.-C. (2016). Preparation and properties of luffa fiber- and kenaf fiber-filled poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate)/starch blend-based biocomposites. Polymer Testing, 50, 191-199. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2016.01.015

Marques, M. d. F. V., Melo, R. P., Araujo, R. d. S., Lunz, J. d. N., & Aguiar, V. d. O. (2015). Improvement of mechanical properties of natural fiber–polypropylene composites using successive alkaline treatments. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132(12). doi:doi:10.1002/app.41710

Mazali, I. O., & Alves, O. L. (2005). Morphosynthesis: high fidelity inorganic replica of the fibrous network of loofa sponge (Luffa cylindrica). Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 77, 25-31.

Melo, A. B. L., Panzera, T. H., Freire, R. T. S., & Scarpa, F. (2018). The effect of Portland cement inclusions in hybrid glass fibre reinforced composites based on a full factorial design. Composite Structures. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.01.069

Mishra, S., Mohanty, A. K., Drzal, L. T., Misra, M., Parija, S., Nayak, S. K., & Tripathy, S. S. (2003). Studies on mechanical performance of biofibre/glass reinforced polyester hybrid composites. Composites Science and Technology, 63(10), 1377-1385. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-3538(03)00084-8

Mohana krishnudu, D., Sreeramulu, D., & Ramesh, N. (2018). Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Epoxy Filled Luffa cylindrica reinforced composites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(2, Part 1), 3835-3841. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.637

Mohanta, N., & Acharya, S. (2016). Fiber surface treatment: Its effect on structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of Luffa cylindrica fiber and its composite. Journal of Composite Materials, 50(22), 3117-3131. doi:10.1177/0021998315615654

Nohrström, T. J., Vallittu, P. K., & Yli-Urpo, A. (2000). The Effect of Placement and Quantity of Glass Fibers on the Fracture Resistance of Interim Fixed Partial Dentures. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 13(1), 72-78.

Panthapulakkal, S., Zereshkian, A., & Sain, M. (2006). Preparation and characterization of wheat straw fibers for reinforcing application in injection molded thermoplastic composites. Bioresource Technology, 97(2), 265-272. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.02.043

Patel, V. K., & Dhanola, A. (2016). Influence of CaCO3, Al2O3, and TiO2 microfillers on physico-mechanical properties of Luffa cylindrica/polyester composites. Engineering `Science and Technology, an International Journal, 19(2), 676-683. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jestch.2015.10.005

Poletto, M. (2016). Polystyrene cellulose fiber composites: effect of the processing conditions on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. Matéria (Rio de Janeiro), 21, 552-559.

Rana, A. K., Mitra, B. C., & Banerjee, A. N. (1999). Short jute fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites: Dynamic mechanical study. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 71(4), 531-539. doi:doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19990124)71:4<531::AID-APP2>3.0.CO;2-I

Satyanarayana, K. G., Guimarães, J. L., & Wypych, F. (2007). Studies on lignocellulosic fibers of Brazil. Part I: Source, production, morphology, properties and applications. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 38(7), 1694-1709. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2007.02.006

Shen, J., Xie, Y. M., Huang, X., Zhou, S., & Ruan, D. (2013). Behaviour of luffa sponge material under dynamic loading. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 57, 17-26. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2013.01.004

Singha, A. S., & Rana, R. K. (2010). Enhancement of hydrophobic character of lignocellulosic fibers through graft-copolymerization. Advanced Materials Letters, 1(2), 156-163. doi:10.5185/amlett.2010.6134

Singha, A. S., & Rana, R. K. (2012). Natural fiber reinforced polystyrene composites: Effect of fiber loading, fiber dimensions and surface modification on mechanical properties. Materials & Design, 41, 289-297. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.05.001

Sinha, E., & Rout, S. K. (2009). Influence of fibre-surface treatment on structural, thermal and mechanical properties of jute fibre and its composite. Bulletin of Materials Science, 32(1), 65. doi:10.1007/s12034-009-0010-3

Tsuboi, M. (1957). Infrared spectrum and crystal structure of cellulose. Journal of Polymer Science, 25(109), 159-171. doi:doi:10.1002/pol.1957.1202510904

Yang, H.-S., Kim, H.-J., Son, J., Park, H.-J., Lee, B.-J., & Hwang, T.-S. (2004). Rice-husk flour filled polypropylene composites; mechanical and morphological study. Composite Structures, 63(3), 305-312. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-8223(03)00179-X


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.