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1
ISSN 1970 - 8734
January 2014
Keywords: Coconut Coir Fibre, Material Mechanical Properties, Natural Fibre Composites,
Epoxy Resin, Random Oriented Fibre Composite
I.
Introduction
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shape even after constant use, totally static free, and easy
to clean [2]. Epoxy resin (thermoset resin group) is one
of the commonly used matrix materials and have the
advantages of low in densities, good corrosion resistance,
low thermal and electrical conductivities, translucence,
and aesthetis colour effects while the limitations of them
are low in transverse strength and operational
temperature limits [3]-[4].
In addition, the curing time of epoxy resin is much
higher than polyester resins and it has a greater binding
property. In case of coir fibre reinforced composites,
there are several reported works done on them. Arylmis
et al. [5] worked on preparation of coir composite panel
for automotive interior applications. He found the
optimal use of composite contents for that specific
purpose are 60% wt coir fibre, 37% PP powder, and 3%
MAPP.
Mujahid et al. [6] came out with the dynamic
characteristics of the coconut coir fibre reinforced
composite are greatly dependent on the volume
percentage of fibre by using experimental modal analysis
[EMA] on the composite sample but the increase of
fibres will make composite tend to have low stiffness and
ductility. Aireddy et al [7] studied coir dust reinforced
epoxy matrix composites of different compositions. The
experimental results shown that, the abrasive wear
resistance of the composite depends on the coir dust
concentration, sliding distance, and applied normal load.
The abrasive wear resistance decreased with increased
in normal load and coir dust concentration. Lai et al. [8]
have done the experiment on coir fiber-reinforced
polypropylene composite and has found out the
composite with treated coir fiber have a higher tensile
modulus and greater flexural strength than untreated one.
Verma et. al [4] state that chemical modifications are
commonly considered to optimize the interfacial
properties between natural fibre and polymer matrix
because of the hydrophilic nature of natural fibers.
However, the others research done on fiber treatment had
reported that the usual fiber treatments so far did not
significantly modify the mechanical performance of coirpolyester composites as reviewed by Monteiro [9].
Razzoqi et. al [12] have studied the influence of
compression pressure on mechanical properties of
ceramic matrix composite and found out that the
mechanical properties improved for all composites
generally at increasing of compressing pressure. Lynda
and Faycal [13] investigated the effects of shear
deformation on the natural frequencies of antisymmetric
cross-ply and angle-ply laminated composite plates.
The shear deformation showed a considerable effect
on the natural frequencies for composite plates. Bourouis
and Mili [14] studied the effect of the fibre orientation on
static failure of composite sandwich beams
carbon/epoxy, kevlar epoxy, glass epoxy of stacking
- 3s, [0/90] 3s and [45/-45] 3s.
They found out that the sandwich beams with
carbon/epoxy, and glass epoxy face sheets shows the best
characteristics compared to kevlar/epoxy which facing
II.
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TABLE I
AVERAGE FLEXURAL MODULUS AND TENSILE MODULUS
OF ELASTICITY
Tensile
Flexural Modulus
Modulus of
Weight % of coir fiber
of Elasticity (Mpa)
Elasticity
(Mpa)
20
42.8
9.906
25
74.02
17.423
30
44.661
5.324
35
12.451
1.868
40
7.043
1.622
50
13.327
1.754
91
80
60
40
20
0
0
20
40
60
0,004
0,003
0,002
0,001
0
80
60
Pressure
2.6MPa
20
0
0
20
40
60
40
60
Pressure
1.3MPa
40
20
Pressure
5.2MPa
IV. Conclusion
It can be concluded that the amount of cir fibre
loading played an important role in determination of
stiffness level of the composite. T the less than 35% wt
coir fiber loading panels show more rigid behaviour
which are stiff and relatively hard while greater than 35%
coir fiber loading panels shown the higher flexibility
behaviour which are soft and deformable.
The coir fibre shows the common behaviour similar
likes other natural plant fibre which is lack of efficient
reinforcement that lead to their low stiffness level
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Authors' information
Mohd Amirul Abdul Rahman born in 14
November 1986 in Muar, Johor, Malaysia.He
obtained his Bachelor Degree in Engineering
(Aerospace) in 2010 from International Islamic
University Malaysia. Currently studying Master
of Science Aerosapce Engineering by research
in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor,
Malaysia. His major field of study is
experimental aeroelasticity and natural composite.
E-mail: amirulmier@gmail.com
Acknowledgements
The author acknowledge all the members of the
research for their support.
References
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[14]
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