Publication: Properties of different types of polymers and polymer kenaf pulp laminated composites
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Date
2025-08-04
Authors
Ho, Kay Lee
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Abstract
This study investigates the properties of polymer kenaf pulp laminated composites using biodegradable polymer matrix, polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). In this study, polypropylene (PP) a synthetic polymer is used as a control. The study aims to compare the mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties of the polymer and polymer kenaf pulp laminated composites. The effect of the polymer composites on accelerated weathering test tested at 240 and 480 hours on flexural properties and morphology was investigated. Flexural test, horizontal burning test and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the samples. Accelerated weathering test was performed for 240 and 480 hours using a Q-SUN Xenon chamber. PLA showed the highest flexural strength (80 MPa), which increased by 87% to 150 MPa when reinforced with kenaf pulp, followed by PBAT kenaf composites (25%) and PP kenaf composites (22%). PLA kenaf composites showed the highest flexural strength and modulus compared to PBAT and PP kenaf composite. PLA and PLA kenaf composite demonstrated good fire resistance among the samples. After 480 hours weathering test, PLA undergoes 82% loss in flexural strength as compared to PBAT (36.8% loss) and PP (44.3% loss). In contrast, PP kenaf composites degraded moderately (57.5% loss), followed by PLA kenaf composite (48.2%) and PBAT kenaf composite (35.8%). Fire resistance of PLA is good even after weathering test as compared to PBAT and PP. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the addition of kenaf pulp significantly enhances the mechanical properties of polymers, and accelerated the biodegradation rate of the polymers composites, especially in PP kenaf pulp and PLA kenaf pulp laminated composite