Mechanical Properties of Palas Fiber Reinforced Composite

Recently there is a rapid growth in research and innovation in the natural fiber composites area. This is because natural fiber gives some advantages compared to other synthetic fibers such as low density, environmental friendly, low cost and good mechanical properties. The purpose of this project is to study the mechanical behaviour of palas leaf reinforced composite. The experiments of tensile, impact and flexural tests were carried out on composites made by reinforced palas leaf or licuala grandis as its scientific name as a new natural fiber into polypropylene homopolymer resin matrix. All of the tests were carried out according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. This project will focus on the matrix-fiber compositions which are, 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40. These three composition will also be compared with a neat polypropylene. There are two processes involved to produce this composite which are compounding process and injection moulding process. The palas leaf and polypropylene will be mixed together by using the compounding process and will produce a pellet size composite. This pellet will then put into the injection moulding process to produce a desired shape of composite such as dog-bone shape. The tensile, impact and flexural test will be carried out once the injection moulding process is done.