Mechanical properties of kenaf and calcium carbonate with unsaturated polyester composites

Abstract

Kenaf/unsaturated polyester composites were prepared with different kenaf fiber loading (1, 2 and 3 layer) and calcium carbonate loading (1 % and 2 %) by using hand lay – up method. The kenaf fiber used was in a fiber mat form. The effect of different kenaf fiber and calcium carbonate loading on mechanical properties kenaf – unsaturated polyester (kenaf/UPE) composites were studied. The effect of different kenaf fiber loading and filler loading were studied from mechanical properties like tensile, flexural and impact. The results showed that tensile strength and flexural strength improved significantly with increasing of kenaf fiber loading and also increasing of calcium carbonate loading. The impact strength also improved with the increase of kenaf fiber loading. The result supported by morphological study by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) on tensile fracture surface of kenaf fiber/unsaturated polyester composites. The additions of calcium carbonate filler improved the interaction between filler and matrixes due to hydrophobicity thus improve the mechanical properties of kenaf/unsaturated polyester composite.