An Experimental Investigation on Melt Flow Index and Water Absorption of rHIPS/ABS/Kenaf Composite

Authors

  • Muhammad Ikram Shaharudin Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Nor Bahiyah Baba Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Alias Mohd Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Rabiatul Manisah Mohamed Faculty of Engineering Technology (Natural Resources and Environment), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Mashelmie Sidik Faculty of Engineering Technology (Natural Resources and Environment), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.108.1.103113

Keywords:

Water absorption, melt flow index, composite, rHIPS, ABS, kenaf, SEBS

Abstract

Despite increased awareness of environmental contamination, the recycling and modification of discarded plastics has gained popularity. In this study the composites of kenaf fibres incorporated in recycled high impact polystyrene (rHIPS)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) matrix with polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (MAPP) composites were mixed using twin screw extruder. This paper aims to examine the influence of water absorption and MFI of the composites. Ternary blends were prepared by varying the kenaf, MAPP loading from 0-30 (wt. %), at the varying conditions of ABS-rHIPS blends. For water absorption, the maximum percentage was 38.86% for 30 wt.% kenaf. It was noted that, rHIPS/ABS/kenaf composites which contains higher kenaf content showed greater water absorption due to higher fibre content and void percentages compared to composites having lesser amount of kenaf loading. The results also showed that the best MFI was from a mixture of 25% rHIPS, 65% ABS, 5% MAPP and 5% kenaf. From this mixture, the highest flow was produced and suitable for use in the production of products by using machines such as injection molding and extrusion. Due to the benefits associated with kenaf fibre composite as natural fibre, it can, therefore, be used as polymer reinforcement.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Ikram Shaharudin, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

ikramshaharudin277@gmail.com

Nor Bahiyah Baba, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

bahiyah@uctati.edu.my

Alias Mohd, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Manufacturing), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

aliasmohd@uctati.edu.my

Rabiatul Manisah Mohamed, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Natural Resources and Environment), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

rabiatul@uctati.edu.my

Mashelmie Sidik, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Natural Resources and Environment), University College TATI (UC TATI), 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

mashilmie@uctati.edu.my

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Published

2023-09-17

How to Cite

Muhammad Ikram Shaharudin, Nor Bahiyah Baba, Alias Mohd, Rabiatul Manisah Mohamed, & Mashelmie Sidik. (2023). An Experimental Investigation on Melt Flow Index and Water Absorption of rHIPS/ABS/Kenaf Composite. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 108(1), 103–113. https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.108.1.103113

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