Preparation And Characterization Of Polyurethane Composites Reinforced by Kenaf Core
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Date
2018-07
Authors
Azizah Abu Bakar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
In this study, the effect of silane treatment on kenaf core (KC) and KC
reinforced polyurethane (KCP) composites were discussed. The composite was
prepared using one shot process. Firstly, polyurethane (PU) was prepared from
methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and glycerol using different NCO/OH ratio
and KCP composites with different KC loadings were prepared using a suitable
NCO/OH ratio. From the mechanical properties measurement, it was found that
NCO/OH ratio of 1.5 and KC loadings of 20% were suitable to be studied. In the
next phase, KC was treated with different types of silane (1 – 3%); which were
vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), trimethoxyphenylsilane (TMPS), and tetramethoxy
orthosilicate (TMOS) using hydrolysis method with ethanol/water (80:20 volume) as
silanization medium for KC The properties of untreated KC (UKC) and treated KC
(TKC) were investigated through filler morphology analysis, Scanning Electron
Microscopy – Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM – EDX) mapping element analysis,
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
analysis. UKC and TKC surface morphology and SEM – EDX mapping analysis
showed the presence of Si element on the TKC surface. Thermal analysis revealed
that, silane treatment had enhanced the thermal stability. The visco-mechanical
properties of kenaf core treated with silane – polyurethane (TKCP) composite were
measured by Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA). TKCP exhibited high storage
and loss modulus compared to the composite with UKC due to the enhanced interfacial chemical bonding and stiffness of the KCSP composite. Thermal stability
study had shown TKCP has higher thermal stability and produced higher amount of
char residual. The flame retardancy on TKCP was improved too.
Description
Keywords
Polyurethanes , Fillers (Materials)