Composite at fracture surface

The composite is brittle base on the fracture surface of those composite. The fiber distribution is not even at the fracture surface. If the fiber align is in unidirectional,

90° or woven, the fiber would be seen so much at the fracture surface. The surface in

composite with gypsum added is a bit rough compared to fiber with matrix only.

M«g= SOX off.isnoiv OMia^ioN Tm»:ii»»

vn> linn Sv«iA>$Et Unvers*IT<*noto$PETRONAS | 1 ^{100X SMIHSWW M*:t0Ap»0t r*w;1IM:24} wd> i>mm s^A.sti UnwsftTefano4a0PETRONAS

a b

Figure 4.12: SEM for 30vol% and 40vol% of short fiber

35

2O0|hi

H

}M|M

H

Mag* 20X wt-ismkv oarioApan rn»:iws«

WD- ami SgMA*Sil UmereftTefwIOgi PETRONAS

|loom 1 ^{Mig* 100X Bff-ISMW D»;WAj.2WI Tm»:IK9«}

WD- ISrnn SgtfA'SSl U*W«TtWtfOgiPETRONAS

a b

Figure 4.13: SEM for 30vol% and 40vol% of long fiber

M«gs 20 X EHT-1S00kV MUOApim T»n»;tMT;U WO- iSm> Sv*a>sei Urtwrert T«noloj|i PETRONAS

a b

Figure 4.14: SEM for 30vol% and 40vol% in 10vol% gypsum

36

KOn-M

U*j* MX Drt.tSOOiV O*'0A*»» T.W11MJ4 no- iiw ^MA'SCi Unvcna T«*tW09 PETRONAS

!MH*>

•KSSGBRejSfl"

Mtg* 100X Drt-ttoow 6*»i»*j-:«l t*» ««o&

nD> «m* S«tfA>SE1 <>*>WM TtMvtyPETROKAS

b

Figure 4.15: SEM for 30vol% and 40vol% in 20vol% gypsum

4.5 Applications

There are so many applications that can be introduce at 40vol% of banana fiber with adding gypsum or without gypsum added such as table top, mosaic, guardrail and ceiling. Those applications are very suitable due to the physical and mechanical properties ofthe composite.

G u a r d r a i l M o s a i c

-aij^jg.

Table top Ceiling

Figure 4.16: Example of banana fiber composite applications

37

4.6 Economic analysis

The raw materials for the composite are raw banana fiber, gypsum powder, and matrix. Cost for raw banana fiber is about RM 4 per kg [website]. The main raw banana fiber supplier is from India. If the raw banana fiber industry already exists in Malaysia, the raw fiber could be lower than that. Meanwhile the matrix cost is the most expensive among the raw material which is RM 50 per kg. This is the batch price for 20kg of epoxy. The gypsum powder price is expected to be around RM 15 per kg.

Each mosaic tile is 25mm x 25mm over 4.5mm thick. These dimensions are a standard size for glass mosaic tile, which means customer should be able to use these with vitreous tiles from most other manufacturers. The production cost for the composite at 40vol% of fiber at this dimension is about RM 146.00 per meter square. This is the economic potential 1 (EP1) which only include the raw materials cost in batch product. However die possibility of these composite production cost reduce is high when in mass production and continuously.

EP 1 - total raw materials cost

= raw banana fiber + matrix (resin + hardener) + gypsum powder

In other application, the price will be different based on the size, shape and ratio. The production cost can be cheaper if the raw material is dominated by the cheapest

material like raw banana fiber.

38

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION

5.1 Conclusion

The banana fibers that the author uses were extracted from Pisang Abu {Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) cv. 'Dwarf Cavendish'). This banana tree is one of the biggest banana tree group planted in Malaysia. Different section of trunk will produce unfamdiar amount of fiber. The sheaths are differing layer by layer where the fiber content at the inner sheath is lesser than outer layer. The more sheath the banana have, the more fiber can be extracted.

The optimum fiber content is at 40vol% of fiber with flexural strength 73MPa and 67MPa for short and long fiber. In additional of gypsum powder at the composite, the flexural strength and maximum load of the composite will be increasing. The maximum load of the composite at 1Ovol% of gypsum with 40vol% of short fiber is 81MPa and 30vol% is about 44MPa. For 20vol% of gypsum, the flexural strength is 89MPa and 53MPa for 40 and 30vol% fiber. However, the optimum fiber can be varying base on the difference of banana tree types and the method of compression. A compression molding can compact more fiber with matrix into the mold.

Composite with short fiber are more evenly distribute than long fiber composite. As a result, the flexural strength of the short fiber is better than long fiber.

This project clearly proved that the composite exhibits fine physical and good mechanical properties thus it can be use for various useful applications either indoor or outdoor. The gypsum added in the composite make the composite much commercializes instead of increase its strength.

39

5.2 Recommendations

1. Generally, long fiber composite will have higher flexural strength than short fiber. However, due to the gap of fiber distribution between long and short fiber, the short fiber exhibit more strength than long fiber. Hence, for future research, avoid the fiber concentration only at one point.

2. Extend the ratio of fiber /gypsum by compression with high pressure which is preferable using compression molding. By applying this method, the fiber

content can be increase.

3. For further development of this composite, several test need to be done such

as:

a. Chemical effect of the composite surface especially to detergent or chlorine. This is important to know whether the composite is resist to detergent or not.

b. Water absorption effect is one of the criteria that need to know because it will effect the application of the composite. If the composite is water resist, it may be applied for outdoor vise versa.

c. The composite need to be coat to make it scratch resistance.

4. Propose to MARDI, FAMA to start cluster industry for banana fiber extraction due to the potential of banana fiber

5. The composites can be commercialized since it has unique pattern and architectural design. Many applications can be done by using this composite such as guardrail, mosaic, table top, ceiling, food container, or children toys since the composite is safe, low density and low manufacturing cost.

40

REFERENCES

1. S.M. Sapuana, A. Leeniea, M. Harimib, Y.K. Bengb, (2006),

"Mechanical properties of woven banana fiber reinforced epoxy composites" Material and Design 27: 689-693

2. S.M. Sapuan1, N. Harun1, and K.A. Abbas2, (2007), "Design and

Fabrication of a Multipurpose Table Using a Composite of Epoxy and Banana Pseudostem Fibers" Tropical Agriculture 45: 66-68

3. H.A. Al-Qureshi, (1999),"The Use of Banana Fiber Reinforced

Composites forthe Development of a Truck" 2nd International Wood and

Natural Fiber Composites Symposium.

4. Amar K. Mohanty, Manjusri Misra and Lawrence T. Drzal, 2005, Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites. United States of America,

Taylor & Francis Group.

5. Nilza G. Justiz-Smith, G. Junior Virgo, Vernon E. Buchanan;(2008),

"Potential of Jamaican banana, coconut coir and bagasse as composite

materials" Material Characterization 10: 011

6. K. Murali Mohan Rao,a, K. Mohana Rao,(2007), "Extraction and tensile properties of natural fibers: Vakka, date and bamboo," Composite

Structures 77:88-295

7. Maries Idiculaa, S.K. Malhotra b, Kuruvilla Josephc5 Sabu Thomas

,(2005), "Dynamic mechanical analysis of randomly oriented intimately mixed short banana/sisal hybrid fiber reinforced polyester composites,"

Composites Science and Technology 65: 1077-1087

8. Youssef Habibf, Waleed K. El-Zawawyb, Maha M. Ibrahimb, Alain

Dufresne3; (2008) "Processing and characterization of reinforced polyethylene composites made with lignocellulosic fibers from Egyptian agro-industrial residues," Composites Science and Technology 68:

1877-1885.

9. Fowler HW, Fowler FG, Thompson D, editors. The Concise Oxford Dictionary Ninth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1995.

41

10. Laly A. Pothana, Zachariah Oommenb, and Sabu Thomas, (2003),

"Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Banana Fiber ReinforcedPolyester Composites", Composites Science and Technology, 63 (2): 283-293.

11. A. F. Abdelkader, J. R. White, (2005),"Water Absorption in Epoxy Resins: The Effects of the Cross linking Agent and Curing Temperature"

Applied Polymer Science 98: 2544-2549

12. DearbornE.C, Fuoss R.M, MackenzieA.K, ShepherdR.G; (1953) Ind.

Eng. Chem,45,p2715;

13. Springer GS, Shen C.H, (1976), "Moisture absorption and desorption of composite materials" J. composite materials 10:2

14. Loos A.D, Springer G.S; (1979.)"Moisture absorption of graphite-epoxy composites;" J. Compos. Material. 13:131;

15. McManus H.L, Foch B.J, Cunnigham R.A; (1998) Mechanism-based modeling oflong-term degradation; Progress in Durabdity Analysis of Composite Systems;

16. Crank J; (1956.) "The mechanics of diffusion; Clarendon, Oxford;"

17. Hj. Shamsuddin, Banana Plantation Owner, Bota, Personal Interview.

August. 10.2008.

18. ASTM standardtest D 3039/ D 3039M-95a, Tensile Propertiesof Polymer Matrix Composite Material

19. ASTM standard test D 790, Flexural Properties of Fiber Reinforce Composite

20. ASTM standard test D 570, Water Absorption 24 hour or Equilibrium.

21. Website of http://www.ecogreenunit.org/banana.htm

22. Forum of http://v^ww.agricmtureinformation.com/forums/sale/12332-banana-fibre-fibre-extract-unit-demo-proiect-report-c.html

23. http://www.gov. mv/MyGov/BI/Directory/Business/BusinessBylndustry/A

^cultureAndAgroBaseu^ndusn^/AgroAdvisowComiselling/MARDI/

24. http://www.wbdg.org/design/092000.php

42

APPENDICES

Appendix A : Banana Pseudo stem

Appendix B : Calculation ratio of banana fiber, matrix and gypsum Appendix C : Economic potential of composite

Appendix D :MSDS

43

Appendix A

TableAl:PisangAbu Type:PisangAbu(MusaacuminataColla(AAAGroup)cv.'DwarfCavendish') Height:4.7m(includingthelengthofbananaleaf) Weight(kg)Diameter(cm)Circumference Section13,1814.4(top)48(top) I130cm

H

Section23,6614.550

/ 3 1

Section34,1516.553

/ 3 \

Section45,1218.057

/ '

Section55,9420.063

/ •

Section67,5321.570

/ '

Section77,7025.080 27.0(bottom)86(bottom)

/ '

4| d 44

TableA2:PisangRastali Type:PisangRastali(MusaacuminataxbalbisianaColla(AABGroup)cv.'Silk') Height:5.2m(includingthelengthofbananaleaf) Weight(kg)Diameter(cm)Circumference

/ i I

Section12.0012.00(top)32(top)

/ \ \

R

Section22.3011.5039

/ s \

Section32.7512.0042 Section43.014.0045

/ 1

Section53.31549 Section63.9016.553 Section74.517.557

/ "

Section85.5019.0062

/ •

•* d

1T30cm -*-Section97.7021.070 23.0(bottom)76(bottom) 45

FigureA3:Researchondetenniningthephysicalofbananapseudostems(aandb)bananawaste(c)PisangAbu(d)PisangRastali(e)banana trunkwerecut30cmeachsection(f)circumferenceofthetrunksectionweremeasured(g)weighthetrunksection(h)sheathsofthesection(i) weighthesheaths(j)measurethediameterofthetrunksection(k)allsheathsinthesectionwerepeeledoff(1)cross-sectionalareaofbananatrunk. 46

Appendix B

Calculation ratio of banana fiber, matrix and gypsum

volume of mold

height 14

width 14

deep 0.3

58.8

cm

density of fiber = density of matrix = density of gypsum =

cm 0.1485 g/cm3

c m 1.12 g/cm4

cm3 2.9 g/cm5

Ratio %

fiber matrix gypsum

40 50 0

volume of fiber =

fiber weight

-matrix volume =

matrix weight =

epoxy weight =

hardener weight=

Gypsum volume =

Gypsum weight

40

volume

50

73.5 volume

3.125 4.125

1.000 4.125

X cm3

X

X cm3

59

fiber density

58.800

1.12

matrix density

82.32

82.32

58.8

2.9

/ 40

47

In document in partialfulfilment of the requirement for the (halaman 46-59)