International Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1, No.

1, 2010
ISSN: 2086-3799
Available online at: www.ijes.co
2010 Universitas Malahayati Press

STUDY ON THE MECHANICAL (FLEXURAL) PROPERTIES OF SHORT

SUGAR PALM FIBRE REINFORCED HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE
THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES
D. Bachtiar1, 2, *, S.M. Sapuan2 and K.Z.H. Dahlan3
1

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lampung, Indonesia

Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang,
Selangor, Malaysia
3
Radiation Processing Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
*
e-mail: dandibachtiar@gmail.com
2

Abstract
This study investigated mechanical properties (flexural strength and flexural modulus) of short sugar
palm fibre (SPF) reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites. The fibre sizes of 30-50 meshes
and five different fibre loadings of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% by weight have been used. Short SPFHIPS composites were fabricated using melt mixing and hot compression moulding. The flexural strength
and flexural modulus of short SPF-HIPS composites reinforced with varying fibre loadings were studied.
Testing was carried out according the ASTM D790 Standard. The results showed that the addition of
short SPF to the pure HIPS decreased the flexural strengths while improving the flexural moduli values of
the composites.
KEYWORD: Natural fiber, SPF-HIPS, sugar palm, Flexural.
Introduction
The use of natural fibres as reinforcements in polymer composites to replace synthetic glass fibres is
presently receiving increasing attention because of the several advantages. A number of real advantages
associated with the use of natural fibres include low cost, low densities, biodegradability, high specific
properties, reduces wear in processing equipment and nonabrasive processing [1]. Natural fibres such as
hemp, flax, abaca, sisal, jute, henequen, kenaf, ramie, sugar palm, oil palm, pineapple leaf, banana
pseudo-stem, sugarcane bagasse, coir, rice husk, wood, bamboo have been reported to be used as
reinforcement in polymer composites [2][3].
Sugar palm or Arenga pinnata fibre is a potential source of natural fibre from sugar palm plant, a
member of Palmae family. This plant commonly grows in the tropical regions like the Philippines,
Malaysia and Indonesia. It is naturally a forest species [4]. The full length of the trunk of a sugar palm
tree is completely covered by black fibres. This black fibre can be used as broom, paintbrush, septic tank
base filter, clear water filter, doormat, carpet, rope, chair/sofa cushion, and for fish nest to hatch its eggs
[5]. In certain region, traditional application of ijuk includes handcraft for kupiah (Acehnese typical
headgear used in prayer) and roofing for traditional house in Mandailing, North Sumatera.
The mechanical properties and morphological aspects of sugar palm fibre-reinforced epoxy composites
have been studied [6][7][8]. Study of mechanical properties of sugar palm fibre reinforced epoxy
composites gave promising results. The results of flexural strength test of sugar palm fibre reinforced
epoxy composites indicated that the 10 wt. % woven roving fibre has the highest value compared to other
fibre contents and arrangements.
D. Bachtiar, et al / Int. J. Eng and Sci.. Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010, 23 - 27
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International Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010

ISSN: 2086-3799
Available online at: www.ijes.co
2010 Universitas Malahayati Press

The work of Siregar [7] has shown that using sugar palm fibres as a reinforcement agent for the epoxy
matrix has provided a new form of composite with good strength and rigidity.

Fig. 1. Sugar Palm Fibres

However, none of the earlier studies looked into the characterization of sugar palm fibres on the
reinforcing the thermoplastic composites. Therefore this paper presents the study of the flexural behavior
of the short sugar palm reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS) thermoplastic composites.
Materials and Method
The sugar palm fibres (Arenga pinnata) were obtained from traditional market in Indonesia (Aceh
province), see Figure 1. The fibres were crushed to be short form and sieved into one certain size (30 50
mesh sieve). Five fibre contents of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% by weight and the unreinforced HIPS
matrix as reference were studied in this work. The high impact polystyrene used as the polymer matrix
was Idemitsu PS HT 50 having a density of 1.04 g/cm3 and was supplied by Petrochemical (M) Sdn Bhd,
Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia. Figure 2 shows the short fibres with the HIPS matrix in pellet form.

Fig. 2. Short SPF and HIPS pellet

Compounding of short SPF and HIPS matrix was carried out using a melt mixer (Brabender
Plasticorder intensive mixer model PL2000-6). The mixing temperature and screw speed were set at
165C and 50 rpm respectively. HIPS was charged into the chamber and melted (3 minutes) before dried
short SPFs were added. The mixing process of short SPF and HIPS took place for about 15 minutes. The
material results were shown in Figure 3.
The melt-compounded mixture obtained from the previous process was placed in the hot compression
mold heated at a temperature of 165C and endured the process of preheating for 4 minutes. Heating was
carried out for 4 minutes followed by cooling for further 4 minutes.
D. Bachtiar, et al / Int. J. Eng and Sci.. Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010, 23 - 27
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International Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010

ISSN: 2086-3799
Available online at: www.ijes.co
2010 Universitas Malahayati Press

The flexural (three-point bend) tests were carried out following the ASTM D790 that provides test
methods for evaluating flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and electrical insulation
materials. The Instron universal testing machine (model 4301) was used. The maximum load and the
crosshead speed were specified as 1 kN and 1.3 mm/min respectively while the support span was 48 mm.
The samples were prepared and cut into 5 rectangular specimens of 127mm (L) x 12.7mm (W) x and
3mm (T).

Fig. 3. Pieces of SPF-HIPS composites after melt mixing processing

Result and Discussion
Figure 4 shows the average values of flexural stress of short SPF-HIPS composites at various fibre
loadings. It can be seen that the flexural strengths of composites with short 30-50
mesh SPF increased with increasing fibre contents up to a maximum of 42.15 MPa
(fibre content of 40 wt.%). However, all the values of the short SPF reinforced HIPS
composites are still lower than the unreinforced HIPS.

Fig. 4. The Flexural Stress of Short SPF Reinforced HIPS Composites

The decrease of the flexural properties of short SPF-HIPS composites was due to the poor compatibility
of hydrophilic short SPF and hydrophobic HIPS matrix resulting in poor dispersion of fibre in the matrix
and weak interfacial bonding between the fibres and HIPS matrix. This behavior also due to the
restriction to matrix yielding imposed by sugar palm fibres [9].

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International Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010

ISSN: 2086-3799
Available online at: www.ijes.co
2010 Universitas Malahayati Press

The modulus properties of short SPF-HIPS composites are shown on Figure 5. It result show that adding
the fibre on the composites results the increasing modulus. It means that increasing of the loading of the
fibre can increase the stiffness of the composites. The same results also indicated by Zainuddins work
[10], that the flexural modulus of banana pseudo-stem fibre filled unplasticized PVC composites increase
as the increasing the fibre loading.

Fig. 5. The Flexural Modulus of Short SPF Reinforced HIPS Composites

Conclusion
The mechanical (flexural) properties of short sugar palm fibre (SPF) reinforced high impact polystyrene
(HIPS) composites have been studied. The addition of short SPF decreased the flexural strengths of these
composites. Adding short SPF improved the flexural modulus of these short SPF-HIPS composites.

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International Journal of Engineering and Science Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010

ISSN: 2086-3799
Available online at: www.ijes.co
2010 Universitas Malahayati Press

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