The Influence of MMA Esterification on Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Kenaf Bast/Glass Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites
Rozyanty Rahman,
Syed Zhafer Firdaus Syed Putra,
Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim,
Irwana Nainggolan,
Bartłomiej Jeż,
Marcin Nabiałek,
Luqman Musa,
Andrei Victor Sandu,
Petrica Vizureanu,
Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah,
Dariusz Kwiatkowski,
Izabela Wnuk
Affiliations
Rozyanty Rahman
Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Syed Zhafer Firdaus Syed Putra
Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Shayfull Zamree Abd Rahim
Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Irwana Nainggolan
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
Bartłomiej Jeż
Department of Physics, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Marcin Nabiałek
Department of Physics, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Luqman Musa
Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Andrei Victor Sandu
Center of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Petrica Vizureanu
Center of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah
Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis 01000, Malaysia
Dariusz Kwiatkowski
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Izabela Wnuk
Department of Physics, Częstochowa University of Technology, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites for various applications has increased, which is leading to more research being conducted on natural fiber hybrid composites due to their promising mechanical properties. However, the incompatibility of natural fiber with polymer matrix limits the performance of the natural fiber hybrid composite. In this research work, the mechanical properties and fiber-to-matrix interfacial adhesion were investigated. The efficiency of methyl methacrylate (MMA)-esterification treatments on composites’ final product performance was determined. The composite was prepared using the hand lay-up method with varying kenaf bast fiber (KBF) contents of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 (weight%) and hybridized with glass fiber (GF) at 5 and 10 (weight%). Unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were used as binders and catalysts, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine the effects of MMA-esterification treatment on tensile strength and morphology (tensile fracture and characterization of MMA-esterification treatment) of the composite fabricated. The tensile strength of MMA-treated reinforced UPE and hybrid composites are higher than that of untreated composites. As for MMA treatment, 90 min of treatment showed the highest weight percent gain (WPG) and tensile strength of KBF-reinforced UPE composites. It can be concluded that the esterification of MMA on the KBF can lead to better mechanical properties and adhesion between the KFB and the UPE matrix. This research provides a clear reference for developing hybrid natural fibers, thus contributing to the current field of knowledge related to GF composites, specifically in transportation diligences due to their properties of being lightweight, superior, and involving low production cost.