M. Shukur Zainol Abidin

Bio: M. Shukur Zainol Abidin is an academic researcher from Universiti Sains Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epoxy & Ultimate tensile strength. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 16 publications receiving 173 citations. Previous affiliations of M. Shukur Zainol Abidin include Imperial College London.

Environmental benign natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites: A review

Abstract: The automotive and aerospace industries are in continuous struggle towards the development of lightweight components to improve fuel efficiency. Thermoplastic matrix composites offer distinct advantages in terms of weight reduction, recyclability, specific strength, corrosion resistance, cost-efficiency, and design versatility. Natural fibres owing to their biodegradability, abundance in nature, and low cost not only expand the scope of these materials but also curtail the dependency on petroleum-based products. This review presents a comprehensive state of the art in natural fibres properties; mainly plant fibres, and their use as composite reinforcement followed by the textile technologies used to fabricate the engineered architectures. The review also covers the properties of commonly available thermoplastic matrices and the composite fabrication techniques to enable the selection of the precise material and process for any specific product development. Finally, the mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites are reviewed and the key challenges that need to be dealt with are highlighted.

Effect of comingling techniques on mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced cross-ply thermoplastic composites

Abstract: Continuous natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite materials not only offer low weight and better strength than short fibre reinforced composites but are also biodegradable and eco-friendly. The impregnation of resin into the reinforcement is considered as a major concern during the fabrication of thermoplastic composites. Therefore, intermediate materials known as comingled fabrics were developed to assist the fabrication of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites by aligning the polypropylene fibres alongside the reinforcement natural fibres (jute, hemp and flax) using weaving and knitting techniques. Cross-ply composite panels were fabricated using hot press compression moulding method. The novelty of this work is the simplified methodology to develop the comingled fabrics and the effects of comingling on the mechanical properties of composites. The effect of the comingling technique on the tensile, flexural and impact properties of composites is explained in this research work. Knitted comingled composite specimens exhibit superior mechanical properties than woven comingled composite specimens. The experimental results have shown 14%, 7% and 3% increase in tensile strength, 25%, 20% and 13% increase in flexural strength and 37%, 54% and 44% increase in impact strength of knitted comingled specimens of jute, hemp and flax respectively.

Effect of fabric architecture on the shear and impact properties of natural fibre reinforced composites

Abstract: Thermoplastic natural fiber reinforced composites are particularly attractive and ideal materials for weight critical applications, but the high melt-viscosity of the matrix hinders their full prospective utilisation. Commingled fabrics have evolved as an alternative solution to overcome the viscosity constrain and reduce the manufacturing cost by means of faster lay-up. A comparative performance evaluation was conducted in this research work on natural fibre-reinforced (jute, hemp and flax) laminates fabricated using woven, woven commingled and knitted commingled fabric architectures along with polypropylene matrix by compression moulding method. The damage behaviour of the fabricated laminates was assessed in terms of short-beam shear (SBS), drop weight impact and compression after impact (CAI) strength. The result shows that knitted commingled laminates exhibited higher SBS strength (up to 29% and 20%) and compression after impact strength (up to 37.9% and 25.3%) compared to the woven and woven commingled laminates. Nonetheless, the woven laminates ensure higher impact resistance owing to the interlacement of fibres compared to that of knitted and woven commingled laminates.

Structural composites for multifunctional applications: current challenges and future trends

Abstract: This review paper summarizes the current state-of-art and challenges for the future developments of fiber-reinforced composites for structural applications with multifunctional capabilities. After a brief analysis of the reasons of the successful incorporation of fiber-reinforced composites in many different industrial sectors, the review analyzes three critical factors that will define the future of composites. The first one is the application of novel fiber-deposition and preforming techniques together with innovative liquid moulding strategies, which will be combined by optimization tools based on novel multiscale modelling approaches, so fiber-reinforced composites with optimized properties can be designed and manufactured for each application. In addition, composite applications will be enhanced by the incorporation of multifunctional capabilities. Among them, electrical conductivity, energy storage (structural supercapacitors and batteries) and energy harvesting (piezoelectric and solar energy) seem to be the most promising ones.

Fabrication, Functionalization, and Application of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composite: An Overview.

Abstract: A novel class of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanomaterials has been surging since 1991 due to their noticeable mechanical and electrical properties, as well as their good electron transport properties. This is evidence that the development of CNT-reinforced polymer composites could contribute in expanding many areas of use, from energy-related devices to structural components. As a promising material with a wide range of applications, their poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents has hindered the utilizations of CNTs. The current state of research in CNTs—both single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced polymer composites—was reviewed in the context of the presently employed covalent and non-covalent functionalization. As such, this overview intends to provide a critical assessment of a surging class of composite materials and unveil the successful development associated with CNT-incorporated polymer composites. The mechanisms related to the mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance of CNT-reinforced polymer composites is also discussed. It is vital to understand how the addition of CNTs in a polymer composite alters the microstructure at the micro- and nano-scale, as well as how these modifications influence overall structural behavior, not only in its as fabricated form but also its functionalization techniques. The technological superiority gained with CNT addition to polymer composites may be advantageous, but scientific values are here to be critically explored for reliable, sustainable, and structural reliability in different industrial needs.