Publication: The effect of dicumyl peroxide (dcp) on the properties of alkali-treated kenaf fiber/polylactic acid composites
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Date
2024-08-01
Authors
Nurnabilah Nazifa Binti Mansor
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Abstract
In this research, the effect of alkali treatment and the combined effects of alkali
treatment and DCP addition on the mechanical properties of kenaf fiber/PLA
composites were investigated. The kenaf fiber was treated in 6% NaOH with an
immersion time of one hour. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis
was performed to characterize the influence of fiber treatment on the chemical
properties of the kenaf fiber, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted
to assess the thermal stability properties. The composites, including PLA, PLA/UTKF,
and PLA/ATKF composites, with and without DCP, were prepared using an internal
mixer, followed by hot compression molding at 170 °C, and cutting with a bandsaw
machine. The mechanical properties of the PLA/KF composites were investigated
through tensile and impact tests. Additionally, thermal properties were studied using
TGA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology of the fractured
surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pure PLA,
PLA/UTKF, and PLA/ATKF composites were used as reference materials to observe
the improvements in their properties. The alkali treatment roughened the surface of the
kenaf fiber by removing the hemicellulose and lignin content. Furthermore, the
presence of DCP promoted adequate bonding and mechanical interlocking by forming
crosslinks between the fibers and the matrix in the ATKF composites. As a result, the
PLA/ATKF composite exhibited improved tensile strength, impact strength, and
thermal stability compared to the PLA/UTKF composite.