Natural fibers today are a popular choice for applications in composite manufacturing. Based on the sustainability benefits, biofibers such as plant fibers are replacing synthetic fibers in composites. These fibers are used to manufacture several biocomposites. The chemical composition and properties of each of the fibers changes, which demands the detailed comparison of these fibers. The reinforcement potential of natural fibers and their properties have been described in numerous papers. Today, high performance biocomposites are produced from several years of research. Plant fibers, particularly bast and leaf, find applications in automotive industries. While most of the other fibers are explored in lab scales they have not yet found large-scale commercial applications. It is necessary to also consider other fibers such as ones made from seed (coir) and animals (chicken feather) as they are secondary or made from waste products. Few plant fibers such as bast fibers are often reviewed briefly but other p...

A Review of Natural Fibers Used in Biocomposites: Plant, Animal and Regenerated Cellulose Fibers

Anthelmintic activity of medicinal plants with particular reference to their use in animals in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.

Bamboo fibre reinforced natural rubber composites were prepared by incorporation of different loadings of bamboo fibre. Two series of composites were studied i.e. composites with and without the presence of a bonding agent. The curing characteristics of the composites were determined and the composites were vulcanized at 150°C using a hot press. The properties of the composites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, tear strength, elongation at break and hardness were studied. The adhesion between the bamboo fibre and the natural rubber were enhanced by the addition of bonding agent as exhibited by the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of bonding agent also gave shorter curing time and enhanced mechanical properties.  2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Material Properties Bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites: the effects of filler loading and bonding agent

Biodiesel, as an alternative fuel is steadily gaining attention to replace petroleum diesel partially or completely. The tribological performance of biodiesel is crucial for its application in automobiles. In the present study, effect of temperature on the tribological performance of palm biodiesel was investigated by using four ball wear machine. Tests were conducted at temperatures 30, 45, 60 and 75°C, under a normal load of 40kg for 1h at speed 1200rpm. For each temperature, the tribological properties of petroleum diesel (B0) and three biodiesel blends like B10, B20, B50 were investigated and compared. During the wear test, frictional torque was recorded on line. Wear scars in tested ball were investigated by optical microscopy. Results show that friction and wear increase with increasing temperature.

Effect of Temperature on Tribological Propertiesof Palm Biodiesel

Performance of Vegetable Oil as Lubricant in Extreme Pressure Condition

Wear Rate of Natural Fibre: Long Kenaf Composite☆

In hydrodynamic lubrication, the pressure condition of the fluid is critical to ensure good performance of the lubricated machine elements such as journal bearings. In the present study, an experimental work was conducted to determine the pressure distribution around the circumference of a journal bearing and fluid frictional force of the bearing caused by shearing actions. A journal diameter of 100mm with a 1/2 length-to-diameter ratio was used. Pressure results for 600 RPM speed at different radial loads were obtained. The experimental results were compared to predicted values from established Raimondi and Boyd charts. It was observed that the location of the maximum pressure for the given operating conditions is close to the predicted value.

Preliminary study of pressure profile in hydrodynamic lubrication journal bearing

The antiascarid activity of Caesalpinia crista Linn. seeds, popularly known as Karanjwa, was evaluated in chickens of the Fumi breed, suffering from artificially induced Ascaridia galli infection. Eggs per gram (EPG) counts were determined in the droppings of chickens prior and after treatment with powdered C. crista at doses of 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg of body weight along with its extracts in water and methanol in amounts representing 50 mg/kg of crude powder. The crude drug at the dose rates of 40 and 50 mg/kg and its methanol extract induced a significant (P < 0.001) effect on post-treatment days 10 and 15 while the 30 mg/kg dose was efficacious (P < 0.05) on day 15 only. However, the aqueous extract did not show significant results. These results suggest that a 50 mg/kg dose of C. crista seed powder, its equivalent methanolic extract and piperazine (200 mg/kg) are equieffective in treating the ascarid infection of poultry. The crude C. crista powder appears to be potent and safer than its methanol extract on the basis of the side effects observed.

Comparative anthelminthic efficacy and safety of Caesalpinia crista seed and piperazine adipate in chickens with artificially induced Ascaridia galli infection.

Abstract In the present study, an experimental work was conducted to determine the effect of oil groove location on the temperature and pressure in hydrodynamic journal bearings. A journal with a diameter of 100 mm and a length-to-diameter ratio of ½ was used. The oil supply pressure was set at 0.20–0.25 MPa. The groove was positioned at seven different locations, namely −45°, −30°, −15°, 0°, +150, +30° and +45°. Measurements of temperature and pressure were obtained for speeds of 300, 500 and 800 rpm at different radial loads. Changes in oil groove location were shown to affect the temperature and pressure to some extent.

Mohamad Ali Ahmad

Papers

Wear Rate of Natural Fibre: Long Kenaf Composite☆

Preliminary study of pressure profile in hydrodynamic lubrication journal bearing

Comparative anthelminthic efficacy and safety of Caesalpinia crista seed and piperazine adipate in chickens with artificially induced Ascaridia galli infection.

Experimental study on the effects of oil groove location on temperature and pressure profile in journal bearing lubrication

Experimental study on the effects of oil groove location on temperature and pressure profiles in journal bearing lubrication