The Reinforcing Effect of Sugar Palm Fiber on PP

Authors

  • Kenneth Genesius Han Mechanical Engineering Department Petra Christian University
  • Juliana Anggono Department of Mechanical Engineering Petra Christian University
  • Peter Jonathan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9744/jirae.5.1.23-26

Keywords:

composites, natural fibers, flexural strength, polymer, area density

Abstract

Natural fibers have the ability to reinforce polymeric materials. In this work, sugar palm fibers were added as a reinforcement agent to a polypropylene (PP) matrix to form biocomposites. Flexural strength measurement in accordance with ASTM D790-17 was carried out on PP composites with the sugar palm fiber content changed from 0 to 30 wt.% in 5 wt.% steps. The flexural strength data show a composition dependence on the fiber content with a maxima (52.09 MPa) obtained in 15 wt.% fibers. Sugarcane bagasse-PP composite together with wood board composite and neat PP as existing materials by automotive industry were used as reference material in the study. This sugar palm fiber-PP composites offer lower density in comparison with wood board composites and PP. The area density of the composites is in the range of 1285-1635 g/m2 for the composition studied while PP and wood board have area density of 1466 and 1700 g/m2 respectively.
Vol. 5, No. 1, April 2020

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Published

2021-08-26

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1: APRIL 2020

Section

Articles

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