Fabrication and characterization of bamboo fiber- reinforced polyethylene-polystyrene composites using glycerol as plasticizer
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are composed of a polymer matrix (PE-PS) combined with a fiber (bamboo fibers) to provide conspicuous reinforcement. In light of recycling plastic and natural fibers, the research aim to fabricate and characterize bamboo fiber-reinforced polyethylene-polystyrene composites using glycerol as plasticizer. Specifically, the study investigated the effect on the physical and mechanical properties and water absorption of the composites by varying the following parameters: substitution of glycerol instead of the usual cooking oil in fabrication of DRM, and bamboo fiber loading. Using 1:3 PE-PS ratio, glycerol incorporation was done in DRM by melting together plastic and styrofoam wastes using a densifying machine at 150˚C. DRM samples with 70% (w/w) glycerol incorporation were then compared to the original DRM samples with 70% (w/w) cooking oil. The modified DRM were then loaded with 1, 2 and 3% bamboo fiber-reinforcement using a two-roll mill at 200˚C and compression molding machine at 200˚C and 50 kg/cm2 for 5 mins in the aluminium mold. The composites were characterized by Universal Testing Machine (tensile strength) following the ASTM standard D638. In addition, water absorption of the fabricated composites was tested using the standard method specified by ASTM D570.The bamboo fiber-reinforced polyethylene-polystyrene composites at 1:3 PE: PS ratio rendered better tensile strength and less water absorbed using 70% (w/w) glycerol as plasticizer and at 1% bamboo fiber loading. For future studies, it is recommended to study the impact of different parameters (glycerol percentage, time, temperature, pressure, fiber type and dimensions, fiber extraction, etc.) in the fabrication of the fiber-reinforced recycled plastic composites. Other characterizations of the fabricated plastic composite including thermal properties, leaching and biodegradation experiments and compressive and flexural strengths can also be done.
Keywords: Fiber-reinforced polymer, plasticizer, composites.
Downloads
Article Details
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
References
Angeles, M., & Dufrense, A. (2001). Application of Cellulose Micro Fibrils in Polymers. Macro-molecules.
Bambusa blumeana (Spiny Bamboo). Retrieved January 31, 2014 from: http://www.guaduabamboo.com/bambusa-blumeana.html.
Funke, U., Bergthaller, W., & Lindhauer, M. G. (1998). Processing and characterization of biodegradable products based on starch. Polymer degradation and stability, 59(1), 293-296.
Dobbs, A. (2008). Bamboo Fiber. Retrieved January 24, 2014. from: http://www.bamboobag.com/bamboofabric.html
Gotico, P., M. (2011). Fabrication and Characterization of Coconut Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene-Polystyrene (Peaps) Composites.
Gotico, P., M. (2012). Fabrication of Coconut Fiber-reinforced Densified Recycled Material (DRM) Using a Laboratory Scale Densifier.
Hassan, E., Wei, Y., Jiao, H., & Huo, Y. M. (2012). PLANT FIBERS REINFORCED POLY(LACTIC ACID)(PLA) AS A GREEN COMPOSITES: REVIEW. International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 4(10).
Kongkeaw, P., Nhuapeng, W., & Thamajaree, W. (2011). The Effect of Fiber Length on Tensile Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites Reinforced by the Fibers of Bamboo (ThyrsostachysSiamensis Gamble). Journal of the Microscopy Society of Thailand, 4(1), 46-48.
Kuruvilla, J., Romildo, D., Toledo F., Beena J., Sabu T., & Laura H. D. C. (1999). RevistaBrasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 3(3), 367-379
Malhotra, N., Sheikh, K., & Rani, S. (2012). A Review on Mechanical Characterization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916, 2-5.
Malkapuram, R., Kumar V., & Negi, Y.S. (2009). Recent Development in Natural Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 28, 1169 originally published online Nov 20, 2008i3-6.
Monsada, A.M. (2011). Waste Plastics Recycling Technologies in the Philippines. Retrieved January 31, 2014 from: http://www.unep.or.jp/Ietc/SPC/news-mar11/11_WastePlasticRecycling_Philippines.pdf
Mounika, M., Ramaniah, K., Prasad, A.V. R, Mohana, K. R., & K. Hema C. R. (2012). Thermal Conductivity Characterization of Bamboo Fiber
Reinforced Polyester Composite. J. Mater. Environ. Sci., 3(6), 1109-1116
Nhlapo, L. P. (2010). Thermal and Mechanical Properties of LDPE/Sisal Fibre Composites Compatibilized with Paraffin Waxes, 4, 12.
Okubo, K., Fujii, T., & Yamamoto, Y. (2009).Development of Bamboo-Based Polymer Composites and Their Mechanical Properties. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Systems, Room YM304, Doshisha University, Kyo-tanabe 610-0321, Japan, 2-6
Pelisser, F., Montedoa, O. R. K., Gleizeb, P. J. P., & Romanb H. R. (2012). Mechanical Properties of Recycled PET Fibers in Concrete. Materials Research, 1.
Sahari, J., & Sapuan, S.M. (2011).Natural Fibre Reinforced Biodegradable Polymer Composites. Rev.Adv.Mater. Sci. 30, 166-174.
Singha, A.S., & Thakur, V.K. (2008). Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites. Material Science Laboratory, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur 177 005, India, 1.
Sudin, R., & Swamy, N. (2006). Bamboo and wood fibre cement composites for sustainable infrastructure regeneration. Journal of Materials Science, 41(21), 6917-6924.
Tudu, P. (2009). Processing and Characterization of NaturalFiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Department of Mechanical Engineering National Institute of Technology Rourkela-769008. 8-18.
Tao, Y. U., Yan, L. I., & Jie, R. E. N. (2009). Preparation and properties of short natural fiber reinforced poly (lactic acid) composites. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 19, s651-s655.