Effect of fiber loading on physical and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester/Donax grandis hypodermal fiber composite

Sofiyah Mohd Razali¹, Mahani Yusoff²^*, Sitti Fatimah Mhd Ramle², Irshad Ul Haq Bhat¹, Abd Hamid Mar Iman¹
¹Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Locked Bag No.100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
²Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Locked Bag No.100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia

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Abstract :

The developments of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have receive positive response in many applications over the synthetic fiber polymer composites. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of fiber loading on the mechanical properties of Donax grandis hypodermal fiber (DGHF) reinforced polyester composites. The composite was mixed and compressed in a mould (150mm x 150mm x 3 mm) with fiber loading compositions varied (20wt%, 25wt%, 30wt%) . The properties of the composite as thickness swelling, density, flexural and tensile were studied. The experimental results showed that both the flexural and tensile properties of the composites materials were found to be better at 25wt% of fiber loading. The density of composites was found to decrease with increase in fiber loading until 25wt% before increase at 30wt%. The thickness swelling properties shows an increment with the DGHF content.

Keywords : Donax grandis,Polyester,Mechanical properties,Physical propertie