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Balakrishnan TS, Sultan MTH, Shahar FS, Basri AA, Shah AUM, Sebaey TA, Łukaszewicz A, Józwik J, Grzejda R. Fatigue and Impact Properties of Kenaf/Glass-Reinforced Hybrid Pultruded Composites for Structural Applications. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:302. [PMID: 38255470 PMCID: PMC10817581 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
To address the weight, cost, and sustainability associated with fibreglass application in structural composites, plant fibres serve as an alternative to reduce and replace the usage of glass fibres. However, there remains a gap in the comprehensive research on plant fibre composites, particularly in their durability for viable structural applications. This research investigates the fatigue and impact properties of pultruded kenaf/glass-reinforced hybrid polyester composites tailored for structural applications. Utilising kenaf fibres in mat form, unidirectional E-glass fibre direct roving yarns, and unsaturated polyester resin as key constituents, pultruded kenaf/glass hybrid profiles were fabricated. The study reveals that pultruded WK/UG alternate specimens exhibit commendable fatigue properties (18,630 cycles at 60% ultimate tensile strength, UTS) and fracture energy (261.3 kJ/m2), showcasing promise for moderate load structural applications. Notably, the pultruded 3 WK/UG/3WK variant emerges as a viable contender for low-load structural tasks recorded satisfactory fatigue properties (10,730 cycles at 60% UTS) and fracture energy (167.09 kJ/m2). Fatigue failure modes indicate that the stress applied is evenly distributed. Ductile failures and delaminations during impact test can be attributed to damping and energy absorbing properties of kenaf fibres. Moreover, incorporating kenaf as a hybrid alternative demonstrates substantial reductions in cost (35.7-50%) and weight (9.6-19.1%). This research establishes a foundation for advancing sustainable and efficient structural materials and highlights the significant role of materials design in shaping the future of engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinesh Sharma Balakrishnan
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (T.S.B.); (F.S.S.); (A.A.B.); (A.U.M.S.)
| | - Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (T.S.B.); (F.S.S.); (A.A.B.); (A.U.M.S.)
- Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forest and Forest Product (INTROP), University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (944751-A), Prime Minister’s Department, MIGHT Partnership Hub, Jalan Impact, Cyberjaya 63000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Farah Syazwani Shahar
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (T.S.B.); (F.S.S.); (A.A.B.); (A.U.M.S.)
| | - Adi Azriff Basri
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (T.S.B.); (F.S.S.); (A.A.B.); (A.U.M.S.)
| | - Ain Umaira Md Shah
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (T.S.B.); (F.S.S.); (A.A.B.); (A.U.M.S.)
| | - Tamer Ali Sebaey
- Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia;
- Mechanical Design and Production Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Andrzej Łukaszewicz
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jerzy Józwik
- Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Rafał Grzejda
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland;
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Tucci F, Rubino F, Pasquino G, Carlone P. Thermoplastic Pultrusion Process of Polypropylene/Glass Tapes. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15102374. [PMID: 37242951 DOI: 10.3390/polym15102374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work focuses on the pultrusion of pre-impregnated glass-reinforced polypropylene tapes. An appositely designed laboratory-scale pultrusion line, consisting of a heating/forming die and a cooling die, was used. The temperature of the advancing materials and the pulling force resistance were measured by using thermocouples embedded in the pre-preg tapes and a load cell. From the analysis of the experimental outcomes, we gained insight into the nature of the material-machinery interaction and the transitions of the polypropylene matrix. The cross-section of the pultruded part was analyzed by microscope observation to evaluate the distribution of the reinforcement inside the profile and the presence of internal defects. Three-point bending and tensile testing were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composite. The pultruded product showed good quality, with an average fiber volume fraction of 23% and a limited presence of internal defects. A non-homogenous distribution of fibers in the cross-section of the profile was observed, probably due to the low number of tapes used in the present experimentation and their limited compaction. A tensile modulus and a flexural modulus of 21.5 GPa and 15.0 GPa, respectively, were measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Tucci
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Felice Rubino
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | | | - Pierpaolo Carlone
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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