Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastics Corn Starch (TPCS) Reinforced Pineapple Leaf Fibre (PALF) Composite
H.Z. Nazri1, Z. Ngali2, M.Z. Selamat3, R. Jumaidin4, F.A. Munir5
1Nazri Huzaimi bin Zakaria*, Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
2Mohd Zamani bin Ngali, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
3Mohd Zulkefli bin Selamat, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
4Ridhwan bin Jumaidin, Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
5Fudhail bin Abdul Munir, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.

Manuscript received on November 15, 2019. | Revised Manuscript received on November 28, 2019. | Manuscript published on 30 November, 2019. | PP: 8817-8821 | Volume-8 Issue-4, November 2019. | Retrieval Number: D9447118419/2019©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.D9447.118419

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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical characterization of bio-composites on thermoplastic corn starch (TPCS) reinforced with 2 mm length of pineapple leaf fibre (PALF). The selection of different weight percentages of fibres (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60) weight percentage (wt.%) of PALF contents were applied in this study. The mixtures of TPCS with different wt.% of PALF were made by using a hot compression moulding at 165 °C for 15 minutes. The mechanical testing that has been performed are tensile, flexural and impact testing to determine the effect of fibre loading on bio-composites characteristics. The results show that by incorporating 40 wt.% loading of PALF, the tensile strength and tensile modulus has increased to the maximum. However, the flexural testing result shows that 50 wt.% loading of PALF show the highest strength and modulus. Meanwhile, the impact testing result shows decrement when the loadings of PALF increases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the TPCS with 40 wt.% of PALF have a good miscibility between matrix/fibre in the bio-composites. Overall, the TPCS/PALF composites enhance the properties of the bio-composites for short-life application: that is, plate, container, disposable tray, packaging etc.
Keywords: Bio-Composites, Thermoplastic Corn Starch, Pineapple Leaf Fibre.
Scope of the Article: Thermal Engineering.