Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1285-1291.

Abstract

Composite materials have increasingly become crucial in manufacturing engineering products and producing commodity
materials in the major industries including; automotive, aerospace, marine, construction, agriculture and health science.
However, several improvements regarding the strength, dimensional stability and the cost of production are required.
In this study, composite of Kenaf, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and polypropylene (PP) with maleic anhydridegrafted
polypropylene (MAPP) are examined. The results highlight that increasing MAPP loading, in turn, increases the
value of the mechanical properties. The composites are produced by blending kenaf/MWCNT/PP using a Sigma blade
mixer and injection moulding. Injection moulding is a significant operation used to produce plastic products. In the
study, Kenaf core fibre was mixed with MWCNT and polypropylene, in addition to MAPP. The MAPP is added by applying
different percentage (1, 2, 3 and 4 wt. %) during the blending process. The main objective of the study was to analyse the
effects of MAPP concentrations on the mechanical properties of the Kenaf/MWCNT/PP composite. The results of the study
established that MAPP 3 wt. % concentration with MWCNT 3 wt. % loading and Kenaf 30 wt. % filler provide optimum
results for the composites. There was approximately, a 21% enhance in tensile strength of Kenaf 30 wt. %/MWCNT, 3 wt.
%/MAPP, 3 wt. %/PP observed compared to the (without) MAPP composite. The composites with coupling agent stimulate
better filler dispersion between Kenaf, MWCNT and PP observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fieldemission
scanning electron microscope (FESEM).