Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Publication
    Effect of zinc oxide suspension on the overall filler content of the PLA/ZnO composites and cPLA/ZnO composites
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Tan M.A.
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    Teh P.L.
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    Song C.C.
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    This work aimed to study the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) filler suspension on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of polylactic acid (PLA)/ZnO and cPLA/ZnO. Fused deposition modelling, one of the additive manufacturing methods, was used to fabricate the PLA specimen. PLA was used as the main material in this project, and the ZnO suspension was added during the printing process. The speed of the dispenser (low speed = 1,000 rpm, medium speed = 1,400 rpm, and high speed = 1,800 rpm) was the parameter that was varied to control the filler content of the composite. All the samples underwent a tensile test to determine the mechanical properties, followed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test to analyse the fracture surface properties of the tensile test. SEM observations showed the PLA samples' inherent smooth appearance, but the PLA/ZnO composite showed a rougher surface. PLA and cPLA composites showed an enhanced storage modulus but lower loss modulus than the pure samples. Because of the high thermal and electrical conductivity of carbon black and ZnO, cPLA composites had higher electrical and thermal conductivity than PLA composites.
  • Publication
    Mechanical properties of rCB-pigment masterbatch in rLDPE: the effect of processing aids and water absorption test
    (De Gruyter Brill, 2023)
    Muhamad Al-Haqqem Abdul Hadi
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    Chew Kang Wei
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    Wong Wee Chun
    Homogenization of pigment is the key to coloring a plastic product evenly. In this article, the tensile properties of recovered carbon black merge with low molecular weight lubricants and other compounding ingredients in the form of pigment masterbatch (PM) added in a recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) resin were evaluated. The prepared masterbatch with the varying amount and types of processing aids (A and B) was first compounded using the heated two-roll mill. Subsequently, the manually mixed masterbatch in rLDPE was put through an injection molding machine for the shaping process to produce an rLDPE pigment masterbatch composite (PMC). The tensile test was performed on the samples to evaluate the mechanical properties of the PMC. Meanwhile, the melt flow index test was executed to justify the composite flow characteristics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscopy were also carried out to analyze the PM and PMC chemical properties and their constructed surface morphology. Besides, X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to determine the changes in degree of crystallinity before and after the water absorption test. The addition of PM in rLDPE has slightly increased the rLDPE matrix tensile properties. While, the usage of more processing aid B in the PMC has turned out to secure better tensile properties compared to the addition of higher amount of processing aid A in the PMC. Interestingly, the tensile properties of all composites after the water absorption test were enhanced, suggesting that a stronger bond was formed during the immersion period.
  • Publication
    Microwave welding with SiCNW/PMMA nanocomposite thin films: enhanced joint strength and performance
    (Institute of Physic, 2025-01)
    Phey Yee Foong
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    Foo Wah Low
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    Veeradasan Perumal
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    Most previously reported susceptors for microwave welding are in powder form. In this study, a thin-film susceptor was employed due to its uniform heating rate and ease of handling. Silicon carbide nanowhisker (SiCNW) were incorporated into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix to create a nanocomposite thin film, which served as the susceptor. The microwave welding process involved three straightforward steps: fabrication of the PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin film, application of the nanocomposite film to the target area, and subsequent microwave heating. Upon cooling, a robust microwave-welded joint was formed. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded joints were characterized using single-lap shear tests, three-point bending tests, and scanning electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that the shear strength and elastic modulus of the welded joints were optimized with increased heating time and SiCNW filler loading. This optimization is attributed to the formation of a SiCNW-filled polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite layer of increasing thickness at the welded joint interface. However, the incorporation of SiCNW also constrained the mobility of the PP chains, reducing the joint’s flexibility. Furthermore, the welded joint formed with the PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin-film susceptor exhibited an 18.82% improvement in shear strength compared to joints formed with a powdered SiCNW susceptor. This study not only demonstrates the potential of PMMA/SiCNW nanocomposite thin films as efficient susceptors for microwave welding but also paves the way for developing high-performance polymer-based composite joints with improved mechanical properties for applications in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.
  • Publication
    The effect of coated calcium carbonate using stearic acid on the recovered carbon black masterbatch in low-density polyethylene composites
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Leow V.J.
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    Yeoh C.K.
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    Wong W.C.
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    Mohamed Rasidi M.S.
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    This research focuses on recycling rubber tire waste through pyrolysis to produce recovered carbon black (rCB). The rCB is combined with recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), fatty acid, metallic stearate, and polyethylene (PE) wax to create an rCB masterbatch for household packaging. Surface modification of CaCO3 particles using stearic acid improves the compatibility with LDPE. The study investigates mechanical properties, morphology, melt flow index (MFI), X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis in three systems: uncoated, coated, and a hybrid combination of coated and uncoated CaCO3 in LDPE/rCB masterbatch composites. The coated system demonstrates higher mechanical properties and improved compatibility between CaCO3 and LDPE. All three systems exhibit enhanced thermal stability and MFI compared to virgin LDPE, with the coated system showing the most significant improvement. The study showcases the potential of LDPE/rCB masterbatch composites for household packaging, with the coated system displaying the optimum performance across various characteristics.
      1  36
  • Publication
    Effect of silicone rubber on the properties of epoxy/recovered carbon black (rCB) conductive materials
    ( 2024-04)
    Pei Chee Leow
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    Wee Chun Wong
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    Chong Hooi Yew
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    Xue Yi Lim
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    Kai Kheng Yeoh
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    The primary focus of this study is to investigate the effect of silicone rubber (SR) content on the mechanical, thermal, electrical conductivity, and morphological properties of epoxy/recovered carbon black (rCB) conductive material. The conductive material is used to produce the electrostatic discharge (ESD) tray for the electronic packaging industry. This study investigated the effect of silicone rubber content (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol.%) on the properties of epoxy/SR/rCB conductive materials, with the rCB content fixed at 15 vol.% for its optimum electrical conductivity. The silicone rubber acts as a toughening agent for epoxy. Through the fracture toughness result, it can be identified that silicone rubber plays a role in improving the toughness properties of the epoxy/SR/rCB conductive material. The optimum results for mechanical properties were recorded at 5 vol.% SR. The addition of SR to the epoxy matrix enhances the electrical properties of the epoxy/SR/rCB conductive material. The effect of thermal aging on epoxy/SR/rCB conductive materials was also studied to determine the properties of the conductive material materials at high temperatures for a long period of time. After thermal aging, the mechanical, thermal, electrical conductivity, and morphological properties of the epoxy/SR/rCB conductive material were slightly reduced.
      1  63
  • Publication
    Comparison study between recovered carbon black and commercial carbon black filled epoxy conductive materials
    ( 2024-01-01)
    Ooi H.M.
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    Wong W.C.
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    Yew C.H.
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    Lim X.Y.
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    Yeoh K.K.
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    Waste tire management and recycling have grown to be significant issues because they bring up a global environmental concern. Thus, turning recycled waste tires into useful products may help tackle the environmental issue. This research aims to study and compare the effect of recycled carbon black (rCB) and commercial carbon black (CB) at certain 15 vol. % of filler loading on the mechanical, thermal, morphology and electrical properties of epoxy/CB composites. For this project, epoxy resin, diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA), recovered carbon black (rCB) and commercial carbon black (CB) graded N330, N550, N660 and N774 were mixed and compared accordingly to the formulation determined. The CB content was dispersed in the epoxy matrix using the mechanical mixing technique. The distribution and dispersion of CB in the epoxy matrix affect the characteristics of the conductive composites. rCB content at 15 vol% was selected at fixed content for comparison purposes due to the optimum value in electrical conductivity results. The flexural strength results followed the sequence of rCB>N774>N660>N550>N330. As for electrical conductivity results, epoxy/N330 exhibited the highest conductivity value, while the others achieved a magnitude of X10-3 due to the highest external surface area of N330. In terms of thermal stability, epoxy/N330 and epoxy/N774 were slightly more stable than epoxy/rCB.
      1  46
  • Publication
    Dielectric and mechanical properties of PLA-carbon composites
    ( 2024-04)
    Mathanesh Thangarajan
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    Wee Chun Wong
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    Chong Hui Yew
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    Kang Zheng Khor
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    This study focuses on the development and characterization of Carbon-based Polylactide (PLA) composites for 3D printer filaments. The aim is to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of PLA by incorporating recovered carbon black (RCB) in different mesh sizes (500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mesh). Electrical impedance spectroscopy and dielectric constant measurements were performed to investigate the electrical properties of the composites. Results showed that the addition of RCB increased the dielectric constant, with values ranging from 2.5 to 7.1, indicating improved electrical performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the dispersion of carbon particles within the composites, enhancing their electrical conductivity. The effect of RCB particle size on electrical properties was also explored, with smaller particle sizes (2000 mesh) resulting in the highest conductivity of 6.2 S/m. Tensile testing demonstrated that the addition of RCB increases the tensile strength of PLA, with values ranging from 28.6 MPa to 47.2 MPa, and the elastic modulus, ranging from 832 MPa to 1.56 GPa, depending on the mesh size. The optimal combination of RCB content and mesh size resulted in a composite with a tensile strength of 43.8 MPa. Overall, this research provides insights into the development of Carbon-based PLA composites with improved electrical and mechanical properties.
      31  4