Mechanical properties of clear- cast unreinforced polyester resin 16

viii LIST OF TABLES 2.1 Number of plies used in laminate composite 12 2.2 A comparative average mechanical property of high performance fiber laminates 13 2.3 Properties of thermoplastic and thermoset matrix material 14 2.4 Properties of epoxy and polyester resin 15

2.5 Mechanical properties of clear- cast unreinforced polyester resin 16

2.6 The selected properties of natural fiber and synthetic fibers 18 2.7 Type of fibers used in hybrid laminate and the effect of hybridization 19 2.8 Physical properties of kenaf fiber 20 2.9 Fibers and weave patterns used 25 2.10 Overview of studies on literature review 33 3.1 Technical data of epoxy using slow hardener 37 3.2 Properties of E-glass fiber 38 3.3 Properties of kenaf fiber 39 3.4 Design of intraply hybrid lamina composite 41 4.1 Basic structural parameter of woven fabric samples 49 ix LIST OF FIGURES 1.1 Flow chart of research methodology 7 2.1 Types of composite 10 2.2 Classification of composite material 11 2.3 Composite 11 2.4 Common forms of fiber reinforcement 19 2.5 Warp and weft direction of woven fabric 22 2.6 A textile composite fan made by SNECMA, woven fabric and fibers in woven fabrics 23 2.7 Schematics diagram of process performing and resin injection molding process 23 2.8 Textile composite reinforcements 24 2.9 Fabric construction diagram 24 2.10 Hybrid composite 26 2.11 Various stacking sequences of composite laminate 27 2.12 Stress strain curves for laminates samples 28 2.13 Carbon fiber with epoxy 29 2.14 Flexural and impact strength of composites 30 3.1 Flow chart of methodology 35 3.2 Close-up picture of epoxy resin sticker 37 3.3 Woven roving E-type glass fiber 38 3.4 Kenaf fibers 39 3.5 Process flow chart for vacuum infusion 43 3.6 Geometry of tensile specimen according to ASTM 45 3.7 Shimadzu universal testing machine 45 3.8 Sample dimension for S1W1 46 3.9 SEM machine 47 4.1 Plain weave 49 x 4.2 Twill weave 50 4.3 5-hardness satin weave 50 4.4 2x2 Basket weave 51 4.5 Epoxy resin is spread throughout the sample 51 4.6 Demould of sample from the mould 52 4.7 Weight of samples 54 4.8 Comparison of areal density and thickness of samples 56 4.9 Empty spaces between kenaf and glass fiber in twill weave 57 4.10 Average value of maximum force for single kenaf and glass fiber with epoxy resin 58 4.11 The breaking part of a kenaf fiber 59 4.12 The breaking part of a glass fiber 60 4.13 Average value of maximum force to break the specimens 62 4.14 Tensile failure for longitudinal kenaf fiber in 2x2 twill weave 64 4.15 Tensile failure for 2x2 basket weave 65 4.16 Plain weave lamina composite 66 4.17 Tensile failure of longitudinal kenaf in plain weave 66 4.18 Photograph of tensile fracture surface of plain weave 67 4.19 5-hardness satin weave lamina composite 68 4.20 Photograph of 5-hardness satin weave 69 4.21 Tensile failure of transverse kenaf fiber in twill weave 70 4.22 Photograph of twill weave specimen 71 4.23 Tensile failure of transverse kenaf fiber in plain weave 72 4.24 Tensile failure of transverse kenaf fiber in 5-hardness satin 73 xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials KFRP - Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Polymer PSM - Projek Sarjana Muda PC - Polycarbonate PP - Polypropylene PS - Polystrene PVA - Poly vinyl alcohol MEKP - Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide S1P1 - Sample 1 in plain weave S2T2 - Sample 2 in 2x2 twill weave S3H3 - Sample 3 in 5-hardness satin weave S4B4 - Sample 4 in 2x2 basket weave UPE - Unsaturated polyester resin RTM - Resin transfer molding LCM - Liquid composite molding NCF - Non-crimp fabric UD - Uni-directional UTM - Universal testing machine SEM - Scanning electron microscopy RM - Ringgit Malaysia xii LIST OF SYMBOLS o - Degree o C - Degree celcius kPa - Kilo pascal MPa - Mega pascal GPa - Giga pascal K IC - Fracture toughness G IC - Fracture energy kgcm 3 - Kilogram per centimetre cubic kgm 2 - Kilogram per metre square kJm 2 - Kilo joule per metre square gm 2 - Gram per metre square gcm 3 - Gram per centimetre cubic J m -2 - Joule per meter square MPa m 12 - Mega pascal square root of metre Mmmin - Millimetre per minute ms - Metre per second µm - Micro metre kg - Kilogram kN - Kilo newton X - Multiply - Percent : - Ratio mm - Millimetre wt. - Weight percent min - Minute 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Research