Sains Malaysiana 42(4)(2013): 537–546
Glass
Fiber and Nanoclay Reinforced Polypropylene Composites: Morphology, Thermal and
Mechanical Properties
(Polipropilena Diperkuat dengan Gentian Kaca dan Nanotanahliat:
Morfologi, Terma dan Mekanik)
Normasmira
A. Rahman*, Aziz Hassan, R. Yahya & R.A. Lafia-Araga
Department
of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
R.A. Lafia-Araga
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.
65, Minna, 92001
Niger State, Nigeria
Diserahkan: 27 Jun 2011 / Diterima: 26 April 2012
ABSTRACT
Hybrid composites of polypropylene (PP)/nanoclay
(NC)/glass
fiber (GF) were prepared by extrusion and injection molding.
Molded specimens were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile and flexural
tests. TEM results revealed NC particle
intercalation. TGA results showed that the
incorporation of clay into the GF composite improves the
thermal stability of the material. The initial thermal decomposition
temperatures also shifted to higher values. Incorporation of GF into PP lowers the tensile strength of the binary composite, indicating
poor fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. However, introducing NC increased
the strength of the ternary composites. Tensile modulus was enhanced with the
incorporation of GF and further increased with an
introduction of NC. Flexural strength and flexural
modulus are both enhanced with an increase in GF and NC loading.
Keywords: Hybrid composites; mechanical property; nanostructured
materials; thermal property
ABSTRAK
Bahan komposit hibrid polipropilena (PP) /
tanah liat (TL) / gentian kaca (GK)
disediakan dengan menggunakan ekstrusi dan acuan suntikan. Sifat morfologi
bahan komposit acuan suntikan dikaji menggunakan teknik TEM.
Kestabilan terma bahan komposit dianalisis menggunakan teknik TGA,
manakala ciri-ciri mekanikal komposit dikaji dengan menggunakan ujian regangan
dan lenturan. Analisis TGA menunjukkan bahawa penambahan TL ke
dalam komposit yang mengandungi GK meningkatkan kestabilan
terma bahan tersebut. Selain itu, suhu penguraian peringkat awal bahan komposit
juga didapati beranjak ke nilai yang lebih tinggi. Penambahan GK ke
dalam PP didapati menyebabkan penurunan nilai kekuatan regangan
komposit perduaan, menunjukkan bahawa interaksi antara muka antara GK dan PP adalah lemah. Walau bagaimanapun, kekuatan regangan komposit
pertigaan menunjukkan peningkatan dengan penambahan TL ke
dalam sistem. Penambahan GK meningkatkan modulus regangan
komposit dan nilai ini bertambah dengan kehadiran TL ke
dalam sistem. Kekuatan dan modulus bagi ujian lenturan didapati meningkat
dengan penambahan GK dan TL ke
dalam bahan komposit.
Kata kunci: Bahan berstruktur nano; komposit
hibrid; sifat mekanik; sifat terma
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*Pengarang
untuk surat-menyurat; email: nmmira@um.edu.my