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Mechanical properties of Napier grass fibre/polyester composites

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Geoff Gibson

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Abstract

The mechanical properties of Napier grass fibre-reinforced composites were characterised. Napier grass fibres were extracted through water retting process. The effect of alkali-treatment on the tensile properties and morphology of the fibres was investigated. The fibres were alkali-treated using NaOH solutions of various concentrations and subjected to single fibre testing. The morphology of the fibres was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The 10% alkali-treated Napier grass fibres yielded the highest strength. To fabricate the polymer composites, Napier grass fibre and polyester resin were used as the reinforcing material and polymer matrix, respectively. The tensile and flexural properties of the composites were studied. In general, up to a certain threshold value, the tensile and flexural strengths of the composites increased as the fibre volume fractions increased, following which, there was a reduction in strength. The maximum tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were obtained at 25% fibre loading. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Haameem JAM, Majid MSA, Afendi M, Marzuki HFA, Fahmi I, Gibson AG

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Composite Structures

Year: 2016

Volume: 136

Pages: 1-10

Print publication date: 01/02/2016

Online publication date: 09/10/2015

Acceptance date: 01/01/1900

ISSN (print): 0263-8223

ISSN (electronic): 1879-1085

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.09.051

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.09.051

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