ABSTRACT

In this study, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) composites reinforced with areca sheath and Moringa oleifera fruit fibers were fabricated using injection molding technique. The fabricated composites were designated as Areca sheath fiber/PET (AF composites), Moringa oleifera fruit fibers/PET (MF composites) and Areca/Moringa PET composites (AM composites). Neat PET composites were also prepared for comparison purpose. Physical characteristics such as void percentage, micro-hardness and mechanical characteristics like impact, flexural and tensile strength were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was done to get a clear idea about the surface texture and study the failure mechanism of the composites. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was also carried out to study the thermal properties of the composites. Experimental results indicated that tensile and flexural properties of MF composites were higher than that of AF and AM composites. However, micro-hardness and impact strength of AM composites were better than that of others. SEM micrographs presented better fiber-matrix bonding in MF composites and this indicated improved resistance of the composite to thermal degradation in TGA analysis. Thus, Moringa oleifera and areca fiber-reinforced PET composites can be used for light to moderately loaded structural engineering applications as an alternative material.

摘要

在这项研究中，采用注塑技术制造了用槟榔皮和辣木果实纤维增强的聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯 (PET) 复合材料。制造的复合材料被命名为槟榔鞘纤维/PET（AF复合材料）、辣木水果纤维/PET（MF 复合材料）和槟榔/辣木 PET 复合材料（AM 复合材料）。为了比较，还制备了纯 PET 复合材料。研究了空隙率、显微硬度等物理特性和冲击、弯曲和拉伸强度等机械特性。扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 旨在清楚地了解表面纹理并研究复合材料的失效机制。此外，还进行了热重分析（TGA）以研究复合材料的热性能。实验结果表明，MF复合材料的拉伸和弯曲性能均高于AF和AM复合材料。然而，AM复合材料的显微硬度和冲击强度优于其他复合材料。SEM 显微照片显示了 MF 复合材料中更好的纤维-基体结合，这表明复合材料在 TGA 分析中对热降解的抵抗力有所提高。因此，辣木和槟榔纤维增强 PET 复合材料可作为替代材料用于轻型至中等负载的结构工程应用。