Open AccessMechanical Properties of Thermoplastics Corn Starch (TPCS) Reinforced Pineapple Leaf Fibre (PALF) Composite
Author(s) -
Nazri Huzaimi Zakaria,
Mohd Zamani Ngali,
Mohd Zulkefli Selamat,
Ridhwan Jumaidin,
Fudhail bin Abdul Munir
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of recent technology and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2277-3878
DOI - 10.35940/ijrte.d9447.118419
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , flexural strength , scanning electron microscope , injection moulding , composite number , compression molding , thermoplastic , starch , mold , chemistry , biochemistry
The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical characterization of bio-composites on thermoplastic corn starch (TPCS) reinforced with 2 mm length of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF). The selection of different weight percentages of fibres (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60) weight percentage (wt.%) of PALF contents were applied in this study. The mixtures of TPCS with different wt.% of PALF were made by using a hot compression moulding at 165 °C for 15 minutes. The mechanical testing that has been performed are tensile, flexural and impact testing to determine the effect of fibre loading on bio-composites characteristics. The results show that by incorporating 40 wt.% loading of PALF, the tensile strength and tensile modulus has increased to the maximum. However, the flexural testing result shows that 50 wt.% loading of PALF show the highest strength and modulus. Meanwhile, the impact testing result shows decrement when the loadings of PALF increases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the TPCS with 40 wt.% of PALF have a good miscibility between matrix/fibre in the bio-composites. Overall, the TPCS/PALF composites enhance the properties of the bio-composites for short-life application: that is, plate, container, disposable tray, packaging etc.