Effects on MAPP Compatibilizer on Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Core Fibre/Graphene Nanoplatelets reinforced Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Natural fibre has high potential to be used as reinforcement due to more save, greener and environmentally friendly compared to synthetic fibre. In this research, kenaf core fibre (KCF)-graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were melt blending using Brabender internal mixer and fabricated by compression moulding. This research aims to fabricate and study the effect of different amounts of MAPP on the mechanical properties of the PP/KCF/GNP composites. The difference amount of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a compatibilizer in hybrid composite was added to enhance the mechanical properties by improving the interfacial adhesion of matrix and KCF. The pure polypropylene (PP) matrix was used as a control. The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural test) were determined using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Overall, the results show that the presence of MAPP compatibilizer successfully enhanced the mechanical properties as a result of improvement of the fibre-matrix adhesion between the KCF and PP matrix.