Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development Vol. 22, No. 2 (part-3), March 2018 www.jeasd.

org (ISSN 2520-0917)

The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

Vol. 22, No. 2 (part_3), March 2018

ISSN 2520-0917
www.jeasd.org

EFFECT OF NATURAL DURIAN SKIN ON MECHANICAL AND

MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF KEVLAR COMPOSITES
IN STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

*Dr. Suhad Dawood Salman1, Aini Nazmin Binti Md zain2, Zulkiflle Bin Leman3

1) Lect., Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University,

Baghdad, Iraq
2) Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra
Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
3) Asst. Prof., Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: Recently, the sustainable issue is critical to function which encourages researchers to look for
naturally sourced, sustainable materials in any application besides lower costs and improved performance.
The effect of durian skin fibre loading on the mechanical properties of Kevlar/ durian skin/ phenolic
hybrid composites was investigated. DSF is cellulose-based fibres extracted from durian skin. The fibre
content in the composites in this study was 0 and 30 vol % of fibre loading. Increasing Durian skin fiber
(DSF) content in the Kevlar Durian skin phenolic hybrid composites (KDSPHC) has reduced the tensile
and flexural strength of the composites meanwhile the impact resistance increased up to about 40 %
compared to 0 vol % DSF loading. A morphological study observed by Scanning Electron Microscope
and optical microscope showed that the interaction between DSF and Kevlar fibre was decent which
contributed to the variation in the composite properties.
Keywords: Durian skin fibre, Kevlar fibre, Hybrid composite, Mechanical properties.

‫تأثير تهجيه الياف قشرة الدوريان الطبيعيت على الخصائص الميكاويكيت والمىرفىلىجيت لمركباث‬
‫الكيفلر في التطبيقاث الهيكليت‬
‫ ﺍﺻﺒﺤﺖ ﺍﻻﺳﺘﺪﺍﻣﺔ ﺃﻣﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﻎ ﺍﻷﻫﻤﺔﻴ ﻓﻲ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﺎﻻﺕ ﻣﻤﺎ ﺷﺠﻊ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺣﺜﻴﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺒﺤﺚ ﻋﻦ ﻣﺼﺎﺩﺭ ﺍﻟﻤﻮﺍﺩ‬،‫ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻵﻭﻧﺔ ﺍﻷﺧﻴﺮﺓ‬:‫الخالصت‬
‫ ﻓﻲ ﻫﺬﺍ ﺍﻟﺒﺤﺚ ﺗﻢ ﺩﺭﺍﺳﺔ ﺗﺄﺛﻴﺮ ﺗﺗﻤﻞﻴ ﺃﻟﻴﺎﻑ ﻗﺸﺮﺓ ﺍﻟﺪﻭﺭﺎﻳﻥ ﻋﻠﻰ‬.‫ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﺪﺍﻣﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺃﻱ ﺗﻄﺒﻴﻖ ﺑﺎ ﻹﻹﺍﻓﺔ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻧﺨﻔﺍﺽ ﺍﻟﺘﻜﺎﻟﻴﻒ ﻭ ﺗﺗﺴﻴﻦ ﺍﻷﺩﺍء‬
.‫ ﻫﻮ ﺍﻷﻟﺎﻴﻑ ﺍﻟﻘﺍﺋﻤﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺴﻠﻠﻮﻴﺯ ﺍﻟﻤ ﺴﺘﺘﺮﺟﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻗﺸﺮﺓ ﺍﻟﺪﻭﺭﺎﻳﻥ‬DSF.‫ ﺍﻟﻬﺠﻴﻦ ﺍﻟﻔ ﻨﻨﻝﻴ‬/ ‫ ﺩﻭﺭﺎﻳﻥ‬/ ‫ﺍﻟﺨﻮﺍﺹ ﺍﻟﻤﻴﻜﺎﻧﻴﻜﺔﻴ ﻟﻤﺮﻛﺒﺎﺕ ﻛﻔﻠﻴﺮ‬
‫ ﻭﻗﺪ ﺃﺩﺕ ﺯﺎﻳﺩﺓ ﺍﻻﻟﻴﺎﻑ ﺍﻟﻰ ﺯﻳﺎﺩﺓ ﻣﻘﺎﻭﻣﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﺄﺛﻴﺮ ﺇﻟﻰ‬.‫ ﻣﻦ ﺗﺗﻤﻞﻴ ﺍﻷﻟﺎﻴﻑ‬٪ 00 ‫ ﻭ‬0 ‫ﻣﺤﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻷﻟﻴﺎﻑ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﻛﻷﻷﻷ ﻓﻲ ﻫﺬﻩ ﺍﻟﺪﺭﺍﺳﺔ ﻛﺎﻥ‬
‫ ﻭﺃﻅﻬﺮﺕ ﺩﺭﺍﺳﺔ ﻣﻮﺭﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﺔﻴ ﺗﻤﺟ ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺘﻬﺎ ﺑﻮﺍﺳﻄﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﻬﺮ ﺍﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭﻭﻲ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺠﻬﺮ ﺍﻟﻀﻮﺋﻲ ﺃﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﻔﺎﻋﻞ ﺑﻴﻦ‬.٪0 ‫ ﻣﻘﺍﺭﻧﺔ ﺏ‬٪00 ‫ﺣﻮﺍﻟﻲ‬
.‫ ﻭﺃﻟﺎﻴﻑ ﺍﻟﻜﻴﻔﻼﺭﺍﻟﻬﺠﻴﻨﺔ ﻛﺎﻥ ﺟﺪﺍﻴ‬DSF

1. Introduction
Nowadays, the concept of sustainable systems to improved material or structural
performance is widely known in engineering design. However, it is the inspiration from

* suhaddawood2007@yahoo.com 1
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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

natures’ own materials that are lately stimulated the path towards innovatively material
and structural designs [1]. Studies on natural materials show how high structural
behaviour can be achieved with these materials through hybrid combinations in
optimized hybrid arrangements [2, 3]. Durian (Durio Zibethinus Murray) is becoming
more and more popular thanks to its sustainable credentials and is one of the natural
resource that has potential to be commercialized.
According to the Malaysia Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry crop
data, the production of durian fruit in Malaysia in 2013 is estimated about 320,164
metric ton [4, 5]. From each durian, only 50-65 % flesh is consumed as food. The rests
that is about 45-55 % can be described as wastes that include skin, seed, etc.
Approximately 40 % of durian skin fibre may be generated.
Despite Kevlar desirable characteristics as reinforcement, Kevlar has high harmful
environment effect and high cost [6]. This factor reduces the potential of purely Kevlar-
based composites to be used in industries. Being a tropical country, Malaysia has
abundant resources of extractable natural fibres that can utilize industrially.

2. Experimental Details
2.1. Materials
Durian skin was obtained from durian stall area in Seri Kembangan and Chow Kit.
For this research, durian skin fibres in the form of sheets as shown in Fig.1 were
selected as the reinforcement for the hybrid composite as they are easier to be processed
and laminated with the Kevlar fibre. Because their fibres are randomly directed, they
demonstrate equal strength in all directions. Powder compression sheets provide low-
cost enhancement primarily in hand layup technique; continuous laminating and some
closed moulding applications. Kevlar was used together with DSF sheets as
reinforcements as shown in Fig.2 whereas matrix used was the phenolic resin.

Fig. 1 Durian compressed fibre board Fig. 2 Kevlar ply

2.2. Preparation of Durian Skin Fibre

Firstly, durian skins as shown in Fig. 3 were washed thoroughly with tap water to
remove any adhering particles and dust. The thorn of the durian skin was then sliced
away to obtain the durian skin fibre as shown in Fig. 4. The durian skin was dried in an

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

oven for 18 hours with 75 oC to remove moisture. Then, it was grinded using cutting
mill as shown in Fig. 5. The cellulose of sizes about 125 to 250 µm was collected as
shown in Fig. 6. Next, the durian fibre was put in an oven for 18 hours with 75 oC to
prevent it absorbs moisture from surrounding before compression molding process. The
ground durian skin was then undergone hot compression as shown in Fig. 1 for seven
minutes with a temperature of 130 oC to form durian compressed fibre plates. Durian
compressed fibre plate samples were pre-conditioned at 25 oC for 24 hours to adjust the
moisture before laminating with Kevlar plies and phenolic as the resin.

Fig. 3 Durian skin Fig. 4 Removing thorn

Fig. 5 Durian skin being sun dried Fig. 6 Grinded durian skin fibre

2.3. Fabrication of Hybrid Composite

Kevlar ply was cut to 7 x 7 inches and stacked up together. The compressed fibre
durian is placed in between of stacked Kevlar ply. The hybrid composite in sandwich
form is then undergoing vacuum process for 15 minutes. Finally, the hybrid composite
is put in the hydraulic press for 30 minutes with a pressure of 25 psi and temperature of
250 oC. In this study, the composite fabrication process is 0 % and 30 % of DSF loading
in KDSPHC to compare the effect of DSF loading.

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

2.4. Mechanical Testing

The tensile properties were determined using an Instron Universal Testing Machine
at a cross speed of 2 mm/min on specimens with dimensions according to ASTM
D3039/D3039M-08 [7], until tensile failure was detected. Five samples of each
composite with 0 % and 30 % of DSF loading were tested. The flexural strengths were
determined using an Instron Universal Testing Machine at a cross speed of 2 mm/min
on specimens with dimensions according to ASTM D7264/D7264M-07 [8], until
flexural failure was detected. Five samples of each composite with 0 % and 30 % of
DSF loading were tested. The impact test was performed using an Impact Pendulum
Tester (Ceast Model 9050) on 2 mm notched rectangular specimens according to
ASTM D256-10 [9]. The Izod method was conducted was conducted with a 0.5 J
hammer. Five samples of each composites with 0 % and 30 % of DSF loading were
tested.

2.5. Characterization of Hybrid Composites

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images were taken to elucidate the
morphologies of the durian skin and Kevlar. Samples were mounted on aluminum studs
and coated with gold in a vacuum before being observed using a SEM.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1. Tensile Properties
Fig. 7 shows the typical trend of the tensile properties of KDSPHC by addition of 30
% durian skin fibre loading. Based from the curves, it was shown that the specimens
experienced only one single failure mode when they were subjected to tensile load.
Failure is indicated when there is a sudden drop in the reading of tensile load and for all
specimens; their respective curve peaked only once before load reading dropped. When
the load was applied on a particular specimen, the specimen deformed elastically until a
particular limit. Once that limit had been reached, the load reading experienced a
sudden drop indicating matrix failure of the specimens.

22
20
18
16
14
Load (KN)

12 0 % DSF
10 30 % DSF
8
6
4
2
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Extension (mm)
Fig. 7 Typical curve of tensile properties with DSF addition.

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

Fig. 8 shows the bar chart of tensile strength recorded for each fibre loading based on
average of five specimens. The KDSPHC tensile strength started off at 412.63 MPa for
0 % durian skin fibre loading, which means the specimen contains only Kevlar and
phenolic. Increment of 30 % in durian skin fibre loading shows decrement in the value
of tensile strength.
The tensile strength reading for 30 % durian skin fibre loading is drop to 197.77
MPa. It shows that the presence of DSF reduced the tensile strength of the composites.

450
412.63
400
Tensile Strength (MPa)

350
300
250
197.77
200
150
100
50
0
0 % DSF 30 % DSF
Fibre Loading
Fig. 8 Bar chart of KDSFPHC tensile strength based on average of five specimens.

3.2. Flexural Properties

Fig. 9 shows the typical trend of the flexural properties of KDSPHC by addition of
durian skin fibre loading. Based from the curves, it was shown that the composites
experienced multi-failure mode of failure.
Multi-failure mode of failure was shown in all curves by the distinctive sudden drop
of load, which occurred multiple times in all specimens. When load was applied on a
particular specimen, the specimen deformed elastically until a particular limit. Once that
limit had been reached, the load reading experienced a sudden drop indicating the first
failure, indicating matrix failure in the specimen.
This sudden drop was due to the brittle nature of the polymer matrix. When flexural
load continued, the load reading continued to increase again. However, the increment
after the first failure was erratic, indicating micro-level failure in the fibre. This type of
failure is one of the failure characteristics of Kevlar as the fibre strands constituting the
Kevlar ply start to fail bit by bit.
Finally, the load reading experienced a constant value. At this point, the specimen
was deemed to experience a constant flexural failure, where load reading is constant
even though load continued to be applied.

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

1.6

1.4

Load (KN) 1.2

1
0 % DSF
0.8 30 % DSF
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Extension (mm)
Fig. 9 Typical curve of flexural properties with DSF addition.

Fig. 10 shows the bar chart of flexural strength recorded for each fibre loading based
on average of five specimens. At 0 % durian skin fibre loading, the flexural strength
recorded was 442.95 MPa and as the fibre loading was increased to 30 %, the flexural
strength of KDSFPHC specimen recorded a decrement to 111.08 MPa.
Again, as indicated by the tensile specimens the bonding between durian skin and
Kevlar was considered to be not good due to visible delamination of the specimen,
particularly between durian skin and Kevlar layer.

500
442.95
450
Flexural Strength (MPa)

400
350
300
250
200
150
111.08
100
50
0
0 % DSF 30 % DSF
Fibre Loading
Fig. 10 Bar chart of KDSFPHC flexural strength based on average of five specimens.

3.3. Impact Properties

Fig. 11 shows the impact resistance recorded for each fibre loading based on five
average specimens. Results on the impact strength in Figure 11 showed that the impact
resistance of KDSPHC increased by addition of durian skin fibre.

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

Impact resistance of KDSPHC when 0 % durian skin fibre loading gave out a reading
of 717.647 J/m. Addition of 30 % durian skin fibre affected the increase in impact
resistance of KDSPHC significantly, where the impact resistance recorded is 1005.0
J/m, agreement with literature researcher [10].

1200

1005.000
1000
Impact Resistance (J/m)

800
717.647

600

400

200

0
0 % DSF 30 % DSF
Fibre Loading
Fig. 11 Bar chart of KDSPHC impact resistance based on average of five specimens.

3.4. Fracture Surface Study by SEM

The SEM micrograph of the fracture surface of the 30 % DSF loading on KDSPHC
is shown in Fig. 12. It showed it showed decent interfacial bonding and adhesion. This
decent interaction contributed to the variation in tensile and flexural properties with
increasing DSF loading. Similarly to other natural fibres, DSF has inconsistency in
dimension.
Adhesion between the fibre and the matrix has a significant effect role in enhancing
the property of a material. The various polarities between the fibre and matrix also
affect the adhesion between these different surfaces [11].
Fibre pullout, fibre debonding, and fibre fracture are also can be clearly seen in the
micrograph. This confirmed that the energy required was utilized to debond, to pullout
and to fracture the fibres and hence increased the impact toughness of 30 % DSF
loading compared to 0 % DSF loading in KDSPHC.
Fibres can absorb impact energy through mechanical friction due to fibre pull out and
fibre debonding that tends up to stop crack propagation [12].

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

Fig. 12 SEM micrograph of 30 % DSF Loading in KDSPHC.

4. Conclusions
The addition of 30 % DSF loading improved the impact resistance of KDSPHC by
approximately 40 %. Hence, durian skin fibre, can act as reinforcement in the
development of hybrid composite products requires higher fracture toughness. SEM
showed the interaction between DSF and Kevlar fibre was decent which contributed to
the variation in the composite properties due to different polarities between Kevlar and
durian skin.

5. Acknowledgement
This work was supported by UPM. The authors express their gratitude to the
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department of the Universiti Putra
Malaysia. The authors also thank the Mechanical Engineering Department, College of
Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, for scientific assistance and financial support.

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The Fourth Scientific Engineering and First Sustainable Engineering Conference

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