Study on Fibre Length and Composition of Kenaf-Polypropylene (K-PP) Composite for Automobile Interior Parts

This study was to investigate the relationship between fibre length and composition of fibre inside the composite. In this study, three different fibre lengths were used namely 1cm, 1.5cm and 2cm; filling in various kenaf fibre/polypropylene (K/PP) ratio composite with fibre composition range from 10% until 50%. Maleic anhydride (MA) was added as additive to improve bonding between filler and matrix which is 0.3g. Properties of composite were measured using hardness and density test. Dino lite was used to observe the bonding inside composite. After testing, author founds out that polypropylene will give impact on hardness when mix with maleic anhydrice. Kenaf fibre will affect density of composite when it is submerge in water during testing. Kenaf fibre will tends to absorbs water if it is not fully cover by polypropylene. Maleic anhydride was proved can improve strength of composite after added inside composite.