The effect of viscosities of various coating solutions on the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of kenaf/epoxy composites

• Main Authors: Ghaztar, M.M.M (Author), Ibrahim, N.N.I.N (Author), Romli, A.Z (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AMG Transcend Association, 2020
• Subjects: Coating solution; Kenaf fibre; Mechanical properties; Morphological properties; Physical properties; Viscosity
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 Coating treatment is a new method to improve the overall properties of natural fibres. However, recent research paying less attention to the effects of coating solution viscosities towards the coating behaviour inside the fibres embedded in the composite system. Thus, this study explores the effects of coating domination to the deformation of the composite from the analysis of coating uptake, maximum tensile modulus and the Poisson’s ratio. The samples were prepared by dipping the fibres in 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6 coating solutions, cured and pulverised prior moulded and tensile tested. The result shows that 1:6 coated fibre is the best since it improves about 40.1 % of coating uptake, 23.8-31.4 % of maximum tensile modulus with highest Poisson’s ratio of composites properties. It also supported by its scanning electron micrograph as better fibre-matrix interaction was observed. The high coating penetration in the structure of the fibre might change the fibres natural polarity and improves the fibre-matrix interaction to reduce the deformation of the composite to give a stiff composites property. Conclusively, the optimum coating solution is needed since it influences the fibres coating behaviour to control the deformation of the composites. © 2020 by the authors.