Kamal Ariff Zainal Abidin

Bio: Kamal Ariff Zainal Abidin is an academic researcher from Universiti Teknologi Petronas. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nitriding & Corrosion. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 72 citations.

Mathematical Modelling of Nitride Layer Growth of Low Temperature Gas and Plasma Nitriding of AISI 316L

Abstract: This paper present mathematical model which developed to predict the nitrided layer thickness (case depth) of gas nitrided and plasma nitrided austenitic stainless steel according to Fick's first law for pure iron by adapting and manipulating the Hosseini's model to fit the diffusion mechanism where nitrided structure formed by nitrided AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. The mathematical model later tested against various actual gas nitriding and plasma nitriding experimental results with varying nitriding temperature and nitriding duration to see whether the model managed to successfully predict the nitrided layer thickness. This model predicted the coexistence of e-Fe2-3N and γ΄-Fe4N under the present nitriding process parameters. After the validation process, it is proven that the mathematical model managed to predict the nitrided layer growth of the gas nitrided and plasma nitrided of AISI 316L SS up to high degree of accuracy.

Study of Physical Properties and Shock Absorption Abilities of Starch Polymer Foam as Cushioning Material for Packaging

Abstract: This project involved in producing starch polymer foam to be used as cushioning material for packaging. To produce the starch polymer foam; starch, PVA, urea, citric acid, and dionised water are the selected materials. Water amount and, drying and curing process were the variables that were being manipulated to produce the best foam of cushioning material for packaging. After several changes of the variables, the best ratio of starch:pva:citric acid is 1:1:4. The amount of water used is 10 ml/gram of starch/PVA weight. The best foaming process was done at a speed of 1500rpm for 40minutes. Drying process was done at 70 oC for 24 hours, and after that, the curing process was done at 100 oC for 1hour to produce closed cell foam. The two best samples, open cell and closed cell foams produced were cut to 6cm x 6cm x 0.5cm. The density the foams were measured and then subjected to weight drop destructive test.

Investigation of Microstructure and Corrosion Propagation Behaviour of Nitrided Martensitic Stainless Steel Plates

Abstract: Martensitic stainless steels are commonly used for fabricating components. For many applications, an increase in surface hardness and wear resistance can be beneficial to improve performance and extend service life. However, the improvement in hardness of martensitic steels is usually accompanied by a reduction in corrosion strength. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of nitriding on AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel, in terms of microstructure and corrosion propagation behavior. The results indicate that the microstructure and phase composition as well as corrosion resistance were influenced by nitriding temperatures.

Recent progress on natural fiber hybrid composites for advanced applications: A review

Abstract: Natural fibers, as replacement of engineered fibers, have been one of the most researched topics over the past years. This is due to their inherent properties, such as biodegradability, renewability and their abundant availability when compared to synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers derived from finite resources (fossil fuels) and are thus, affected mainly by volatility oil prices and their accumulation in the environment and/or landfill sites as main drawbacks their mechanical properties and thermal properties surpass that of natural fibers. A combination of these fibers/fillers, as reinforcement of various polymeric materials, offers new opportunities to produce multifunctional materials and structures for advanced applications. This article intends to cover recent developments from 2013-up to date on hybrid composites, based on natural fibers with other fillers. Hybrid composites preparation and characterization towards their applicability in advanced applications and the current challenges are also presented.

A review on natural fibers for development of eco-friendly bio-composite: characteristics, and utilizations

Abstract: Understanding the basic properties of natural fibers is important to determine the optimal intended uses for instance as high-quality bio-composite raw material. This review describes the characteristics, and potential uses of some natural fibers in order to improve their sustainability and economic values. The natural fibers have low density and high strength to weight ratio and reduction make them potential as light weight composite and reinforcement materials. The microstructure and chemical compositions of fibers affect the mechanical properties with the fiber cross-sectional area is the most variable influencing the fiber strength. Natural fibers are easy to absorb water due to the presence of hemicellulose that give hydrophilic properties make them less compatible in the interaction with matrix with hydrophobicity properties. Higher cellulose content and crystallinity tend to result better strength properties of fiber while lignin is since versa. Besides that, fiber anatomical characteristics vary between different and same species that affect on the density and mechanical properties. The other factors namely environmental conditions, method of transportation, storage time and conditions, and fiber extraction affect the size and quality of the natural fibers.

Tensile and flexural properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites: A review:

Abstract: In recent years, researchers and scientists are facing problems in terms of environmental imbalance and global warming owing to numerous use of composite materials prepared by synthetic fibers and