International Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences IJBAS-IJENS Vol:10 No:03 54

A Comparison Process Between Vacuum Infusion

and Hand Lay-Up Method Toward
Kenaf/Polyster Composites
Mohd Yuhazri, Y., Phongsakorn, P. T., Haeryip Sihombing

Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM),

Karung Berkunci 1752 Durian Tunggal – Melaka, MALAYSIA 76109
Email: yuhazri@utem.edu.my


Abstract— This study is about reinforced kenaf fibres with
processed of polyester composites resin by using vacuum
infusion and hand lay-up method. Here, the continues long
kenaf fibres material were used and treated by using different
concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), that is 6 % and 9
%. Based on the findings, vacuum infusion process appears to
produce higher results of composite tensile properties
compared to the composites manufactured by hand lay-up
method. Also, vacuum infusion method used in this study
offers the advantages over hand lay-up method for better
comparison ratio between fibres to resin which resulting in
stronger and lighter laminates. The kenaf-polyester
composite manufactured by vacuum infusion process provides
an opportunity of replacing existing materials with a higher
strength, low-cost alternative that is environmentally
friendly.
Index Term-- kenaf, polyester, vacuum infusion, hand lay-
up.
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, natural fibres form an interesting option for the
most widely applied fibre in the composite technology. This
because natural composite materials having many
exceptional properties that are difficult or impossible to
match with traditional materials (i.e. steel, aluminium, and
wood). The advantages of the natural materials are
renewable, environmental friendly, low cost, low density,
flexibility of usage and biodegradability [4], [8].
Many studies on these natural fibres have been done,
such as kenaf [1] – [7], bagasse [2], jute [3], ramie, hemp [3]
and oil palm [8]). Here, Kenaf or also known as Hibiscus
Cannabinus L., has been found to be an important source
fibres for composites and other industrial applications.
Traditionally, Kenaf bast fibres are used to rope, twine, and
course sacking materials. However, beside biodegradable
and environmentally friendly crop, this natural material also
has a potential as reinforced fibres in thermosets and
thermoplastics composites.
In this study, the modifications of kenaf fibres needed to
improve mechanical properties of composites [4] – [7]. That
is to reinforce polyester resin composite through vacuum
infusion resin process and hand lay-up method. Against the
efficiency of the fibres- reinforced composites that are also
depends on the manufacturing process, the ability to transfer
stress from the matrix to fibres [5], and the comparisons of
their tensile performances are investigated as well.
II. M AT ERIAL AND MET HODS
Materials
Kenaf fibres used is obtained from Lembaga Tembakau
Negara (National Tobacco Board), Malaysia. The fibres form
is long bast fibres and processed through the water retting
process. The polyester resin and sodium hidroxide (NaOH)
for the modification process is supplied by Leong Kern
Enterprise and Jasa Chemical Sdn. Bhd. respectively.
Fibre treatment
In this study, chemical retting involves NaOH solution,
water washing and drying. Concentration of NaOH is shown
in Table I. The concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
was the key factor affecting the treatment, where there are 2
chemical treatments used. After washing the fibres material is
thoroughly under the warm tap water for seven times (this is
done after a soaking process in NaOH), then the drying
process should be conducted in room temperature for 24
hours.
Composite manufacturing methods
The composites made using vacuum infusion process.
The process started with the sealant tape is placed on a
glass mould with dimension 300 x 300 mm length and width.
After the spiral tube is fitted at resin feed lines then a
releasing agent is sprayed evenly onto the surface of the
mould. Four layers kenaf fibres were placed on the mould
with different of two direction, i.e., 0o and 90o. Vacuum pump
is used to vacuum out the air of the system after peel ply,
distribution media and vacuum bag were placed. The

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monitoring and checking is necessary to ensure that no lot of void on the hand lay-up sample. For vacuum infusion
leakage before polyester resin infused into the system, process, samples appear woody due to adhesion form
Vacuum-infusion method used in this study offers more between fibres and matrix.
benefits than hand lay-up method due to the better of fibres
to resin ratio resulting in stronger and lighter laminates.
Figure 1 shows the vacuum infusion setup and process.

T ABLE I
T HE CHEMICAL SOLUTION OF THE TREATMENT

Treatment NaOH Soaking

(%) time, (hr)
Resin Infusion
KP-T1 6 12
KP-T2 9 12
Hand Lay-up
HL-T1 6 12
HL-T2 9 12 Fig. 3. Fracture specimens of kenaf/polyester composite frabicated by
hand lay-up method.

Fig. 1. T he vacuum infusion configuration.

The long bast fibres were placed in aluminum mold

evenly. Then a liquid thermosetting resin is mixed with
curing agent (hardener). A brush or roller is used to wrap
layering process of the fibres. Layers of the fibres
impregnated with the resin are used to build up the require
thickness. Curing, i.e. waiting for the thermosetting polymer
bond to form network normally at room temperature.
Fig. 2. Hand Lay-up Process
Measurements
Tensile tests were performed using a testing machine
model AG-I Shimadzu. The width and thickness of the
specimens were measured and recorded. The tensile tests for
tensile strength and tensile modulus is carried out
accordance to ASTM D 638 – 01.
III. RESULT S AND DISCUSSION
Figure 3 and Figure 4, show the fracture samples of hand
lay-up and vacuum infusion method for kenaf/polyester
composite treated with 6 percent NaOH for 12 hours. It was
observed that hand lay-up sample have no fibres pull out
compared to vacuum infusion method. However, there are a
Fig. 4. Fracture specimens of kenaf/polyester composite fabricated by
vacuum infusion process.
Figure 5 show a comparison of tensile strength of
kenaf/polyester composite with different manufacturing
method: vacuum infusion and hand lay-up. It was clearly
observed that the samples fabricated by vacuum infusion
has higher tensile strength than hand lay-up method. For
untreated fibres composite, kenaf/polyester composite
fabricated by hand lay-up (HL-UT) presented 45.52 MPa
while vacuum infusion sample (KP-UT) was 69.12 MPa. For
sample T3, sample HL-T3 also show the highest tensile
strength among others sample fabricated by hand lay-up.
The kenaf/polyester composite treated with 6 percent
NaOH for 12 hours was the best tensile strength either
vacuum infusion or hand lay-up method. However, the
composite made by vacuum infusion show the stronger than
hand lay-up method. Futhermore, the stiffnesss of the
vacuum infusion samples also was higher than the hand lay -
up method. In figure 6 shows that all vacuum infusion
samples are higher Young’s Modulus compared to hand lay -
up samples. The reason contributed to this phenomena is
processing route.

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Fig. 5. Comparison of tensile strength of kenaf/polyester composites
between vacuum infusion and hand lay-up method.
Fig. 6. Comparison of tensile modulus of kenaf/polyester composites
between vacuum infusion and hand lay-up method.
For resin infusion, the samples show the better
mechanical properties due to compression force applied are
maintained for long amounts of time, until the resin cures
completely. The resin infusion process in vacuum condition
will pressurize the samples (approximately 1 bar)
automatically when the gases inside the mold have been
removed. Indirectly, the atmospheric pressure will reduce the
voids or space inside the samples. Therefore, minimized of
voids can improve greatly to the mechanical properties of
samples. Compared to hand lay-up method, the process only
uses an aluminum roller manually to work out the entrapped
air inside the laminates of fibres and matrix. Though this way
also can minimize the amount of voids, but it is an ineffective
method due to the force or pressure applied was not
simultaneous to the laminate. Besides, the force applied
manually is insufficient to work out the entrapped air or
voids inside the laminates. This is as reported by Belingardi
et al. (2008), which point out that the resin infusion can
achieve prepreg levels of resin usage and thus improving the
fibres-to-resin ratio.
Furthermore, as the process involves creating a vacuum,
there is a little or no moisture content when the resin sucked
into the mold. Reducing the moisture content of the sample
during the curing phase will contributed to better mechanical
properties of composites as well. For hand lay-up method,
the process was carried out in environment that exposed to
the moistures and gaseous so it will be react or effect to the
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composites during the curing process.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
The different concentrations of NaOH solution for the
processing of kenaf fibers are showing different results to
the tensile properties of unsaturated kenaf / polyester
composite. This alkalize treatments improve the tensile
properties and performance when increasing the
concentration of sodium hydroxide.
The kenaf/polyester fabricated composites by vacuum
infusion process has the superior tensile strength compared
to hand lay-up method, where tensile strength and Young’s
modulus is higher than hand lay-up method. Also, the resin
infusion process is better processing method for
kenaf/polyester composites compared to hand lay -up
method.
A CKNOWLEDGM ENT
The authors would like to thank Lembaga Tembakau
Negara (National Tobacco Board), Malaysia for supplying
the kenaf fibres. This study is supported by Ministry of
Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia through
UTeM project grant (FRGS/2007/FKP(2)F0023).
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