Rheology And Viscosity Certification Plan On Resin To Be Used On Natural Fiber (Kenaf)

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the use of natural fibers as reinforcing components for both thermoplastic and thermoset matrices, because of the ideal benefits offered by natural fibers such as convenient renewability, biodegradability, and environmentally friendliness. Kenaf have the potential to be used as a replacement for glass or other traditional reinforcement materials in composites. Kenaf bast fibers have low density and high specific strength. It uses in the applications that required for lightweight and high strength. The potential of using biocomposite material in aircraft, kenaf fibers, as the replacement for synthetic fiber has not been explored yet. This motivates the current work on the certification plan of kenaf as part of aircraft. Bonding material or matrix need to be certified as the regulation required in order to allow kenaf to be used. The characteristics of the resin for usage on kenaf fibers were evaluated us ing rheology and viscosity test. Kenaf have high melt index. A high melt index means low molecular weight, low viscosity. The fiber will affect the melt index of the material. Kenaf fiber is famous of its high absorbency of the core material, researchers have investigated the use of Kenaf as an absorbent. These properties are key point in order to know about the behavior of the resin and the suitableness of the resin toward the fiber. Viscoelastic effects should be considered if the end use involves high stresses in a matrix-dominated direction, high temperature or exposure to a harsh chemical environment. Composite structural designs should be evaluated for potential timedependent effects if the working load involves significant shear loading. Using all the criteria that being considered, a certification plan is construct based on the regulation required