The influence of kenaf fiber as reinforcement on recycled polypropylene/recycled polyamide-6 composites

The objective of this study is to develop a green composites based on recycled polypropylene (rPP)/recycled polyamide 6 (rPA6) reinforced with kenaf. The investigations were carried out by collecting rPP from the nearest landfill and rPA6 was prepared by re-extrusion and composites preparations were obtained using a twin screw extruder and injection moulding. The rPP/rPA6 composition was selected in a ratio of 70/30 with compositions of kenaf from 10-30 wt.%. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical properties. The composites thermal properties, processing behaviour and morphological study were also investigated. Beside the decrement in impact properties other mechanical properties of the composites were improved upon as the compositions of kenaf were increased. A difficulty resulted in processing the composites using injection moulding machine as the melt flow index values increased. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed an improvement in the dispersion of kenaf in the matrix when kenaf compositions were increased. The overall results showed the best composition of kenaf was at 30 wt. %.