Open Access

ARTICLE

Effect of Fibre Size on Mechanical Properties and Surface Roughness of PLA Composites by Using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

Aida Haryati Jamadi¹, Nadlene Razali^1,3,*, Sivakumar Dhar Malingam^1,3, Mastura Mohammad Taha^2,3

1 Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, 76100, Malaysia
2 Fakulti Teknologi Kejuruteraan Mekanikal dan Pembuatan, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, 76100, Malaysia
3 Centre for Advanced Research on Energy, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, 76100, Malaysia

* Corresponding Author: Nadlene Razali. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bio-Fibres, Biopolymers and Biocomposites – Design for Sustainability, Life Cycle Analysis, Concurrent Materials and Conceptual Design Selection)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(8), 3261-3276. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.028280

Received 09 November 2022; Accepted 20 December 2022; Issue published 26 June 2023

Abstract

Natural fibre as a reinforcing agent has been widely used in many industrial applications. Nevertheless, several factors need to be considered, such as the size and weight percentage of the fibre used in binding. Using fused deposition modelling (FDM), this factor was investigated by varying the size of natural fibre as the responding variable with a fixed weight percentage of kenaf fibre. The process of modifying the natural fibre in terms of size might increase the dispersion of kenaf fibre in the polymer matrix and increase the adhesion bonding between the fibre and matrix of composites, subsequently improving the interfacial bonding between these two phases. In this paper, the effect of fibre size was evaluated by performing the mechanical test, Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) to observe the morphology of the composites, and also by surface analysis. The surface roughness was visualised using a 3D profilometer and the figure was illustrated as colour shading in the image. The composite with fibre size ≤100 μm displayed better tensile and flexural strength, compared to other sizes. In conclusion, by reducing the size of the fibre, the composites could develop high strength performance for industrial applications.

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Keywords

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