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APCBEE Procedia 9 (2014) 92 – 96

2013 5th International Conference on Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering

(ICBEE 2013)
2013 2nd International Conference on Civil Engineering (ICCEN 2013)

Mechanical Properties of Activated Carbon (AC) Coconut Shell

Reinforced Polypropylene Composites Encapsulated with Epoxy
Resin
Salleh Z.a,b*, Islam M. M.b, M. Y. M. Yusopa and M. A. Mun’aim M. Idrusa
a
Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology(UniKL MIMET),Bandar Teknologi Maritim , Lumut
32200, Malaysia.
b
Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites, University of Southern Queensland,Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia

Abstract

This research is to develop the natural Activated Carbon (AC) composites prepared from carbon coconut shell reinforced
with polypropylene (PP). Carbon coconut shell were selected from in-productive of coconut shell specifically namely as
carbon Komeng coconut shell (CKCS) with different weight percentages of AC (6, 4 and 2wt%) and PP (4, 6 and 8wt%)
contents. The specimens were then encapsulated with epoxy resin. The entire specimens were prepared using SRM
(Silicon Rubber Moulds) with dumbbell shape and rectangular shape according to the standard ASTM D2099 and ASTM
D256 respectively. The mechanical properties of all samples were investigated to characterize the quality of the samples.
The morphological studies of reinforced samples were observed by using SEM machine. The results showed that the
tensile stress was increased when AC is increased specifically for sample 4 wt% and 8 wt%. Maximum tensile stresses
lead by sample 4 wt% with 30 MPa.

©
© 2013
2014 Z.Published by Elsevier
Salleh. Published B.V.B.V.
by Elsevier Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Asia-Pacific
Chemical, Biological
Selection and peer review&under
Environmental
responsibility Engineering
of Asia-PacificSociety
Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society

Keywords: Coconut, Polypropylene, Reinforce

1. Introduction

Coconut shell is one of the most important natural fillers produced in tropical countries like Malaysia,

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +605- 690-9049; fax: +605-690-9091.

E-mail address: mamunaim@mimet.unikl.edu.my.

2212-6708 © 2014 Z. Salleh. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Selection and peer review under responsibility of Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society
doi:10.1016/j.apcbee.2014.01.017
 Z. Salleh et al. / APCBEE Procedia 9 (2014) 92 – 96 93

Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Many works have been devoted to use of other natural fillers in
composites in the recent past and coconut shell filler is a potential candidate for the development of new
composites because of their high strength and modulus properties [1,2,3,4]. Composites of high strength
coconut filler can be used in the broad range of applications as, building materials, marine cordage, fishnets,
furniture, and other household appliances. [5]. Furthermore due to environmental factors, natural carbon such
as carbon from coconut have many advantages over traditional polymer fillers. These include low cost, low
energy consumption, non-abrasive nature, safety in handling, low density, potentially higher volume fraction,
superior specific properties, etc. Disadvantages of natural carbon include low thermal stability, low resistance
to moisture, seasonal quality variations, etc. Activated carbon (AC) made from natural sources has been
proved to be the most economical adsorbents for waste water treatment [6,7,8]. AC is a porous carbonaceous
material which has a high adsorption capacity to be used as adsorbent in industries for the purpose of liquids
and gasses purification and also as catalyst. Such industries that employed AC in their treatment process are
food and beverages industries, pharmaceutical, automobile and mining. In this research, AC was produced
from Komeng coconut shell (CKCS) with different weight percentages (wt.%) reinforced with PP as a matrix
and encapsulated with epoxy resin for the composites materials.

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Materials

The experimental was started with the procurement of the Komeng coconut shell, epoxy resin, hardener,
SRM mould and PP. The coconut shell was collected from the coconut farm district of Manjung Perak
MalaysiaThe resin used was epoxy resin 3554A with the density of 1.15 g/cm3. The SRM open mould type
was used with rectangular shape according standard (ASTM D256) for Izod impact test and dumbbell-shape
samples follow the standard ASTM D2099 for tensile test.

2.2. Sample preparation

The shell firstly was weighted using digital weighing machine then it were cleaned with fresh water and
lastly dried at room temperature. After that all the coconuts shell were burnt in the oven with temperature
~80°C until 5 minutes so that it become coal or powdered ash. Total number of samples for each mould can
produce maximum until 15 specimens in one time. Each mould has a cavity to accommodate the composite
samples. Epoxy and hardener were mixed in a container and stirred well for 5–7 minutes. Before the mixture
was placed inside the silicon rubber mould (SRM mould), the mould was initially polished with a release
agent or wax to prevent the composites from sticking onto the mould upon removal. Firstly, AC from
Komeng coconuts shell was weighted based on the percentage 8, 6, 4 and 2%. Then, PP were mixed as matrix
into the AC with percentage 2, 4, 6 and 8% then finally encapsulated with epoxy resin. Finally, the mixture
components were poured into the SRM mould and left at room temperature for 24 hours until the mixture was
hardened and compressed.

2.3. Sample Characterisation

Tensile strength indicates the ability of a composite material to withstand forces that pull it apart as well as
the capability of the material to stretch prior to failure. The UTM machine tensile tests were carried out using
an Instron machine at Mechanical Department UPM Serdang. Izod impact strength is the ability of the
composite material to withstand bending forces applied perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and was located
94 Z. Salleh et al. / APCBEE Procedia 9 (2014) 92 – 96

at Universiti Kuala Lumpur MIMET Lumut Perak. The test was carried out with impact energy of 5 J and a
span length of 60 mm at angle 30o. The average value of un-notched Izod impact energy was obtained from
each of specimens. The surfaces of the specimens are examined directly by scanning electron microscope
model Hitachi. The eroded samples are mounted on stubs with silver past. To enhance the conductivity of the
eroded samples, a thin film of gold is vacuum-evaporated onto them before the photomicrographs are taken.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1. Tensile and Impact Test

Tensile Stress PP-

40 4wt%+
AC-
6wt%
MPa

20
PP-
0 6wt%+
0 5 AC-
Sample No. 4wt%

Fig. 1. Tensile stress with difference wt% for all specimens

Tensile Strain PP-

4wt%+A
8
C-6wt%
6
PP-
4
%

6wt%+A
2 C-4wt%
0 PP-
0 5 8wt%+A
Sample No. C-2wt%

Fig. 2. Tensile Strain with different wt% for all specimens

Impact Test PP-4wt%+AC-

Energy (J)

131 6wt%
130 PP-6wt%+AC-
129 4wt%
128 PP-8wt%+AC-
2wt%
AC + PP (wt%)

Fig. 3. Impact strength with different wt% for all specimens

 Z. Salleh et al. / APCBEE Procedia 9 (2014) 92 – 96 95

Fig. 1 shows the Tensile Stress for all specimen no. 1 to 5 with different weight percentage (wt.%) of AC.
It was shown that tensile stress trend for AC with 6wt% composite has maximum tensile stress with 30MPa.
The trend shows that specimen with 4wt% and 2wt% of AC content increased gradually the stress continued
for all specimens while 6wt% decreased the stress until specimen no.5. Specimen with 2wt% shows maintain
the stresses and probably is consider as good specimen but still lower stress value on average 20.56MPa. The
increasing of AC content internally occurred might be made the strengthen of specimen higher than others. It
can be seen that tensile stress of the composites increase with an increase of the filler content. The composites
demonstrate somewhat linear behavior to end of specimen no.5. The tensile stress increased also support from
the previous work where AC content was increased [9,10,11]. Mechanical properties of AC+PP composites
depend on several factors such as the stress–strain behaviours of carbon and matrix phases, the phase volume
fractions, the carbon concentration, the distribution and orientation of the carbon or fillers relative to one
another. The increase of the filler content, results in the increase in tensile stress. This is due to the fact that
AC filler particles strengthen the interface of PP matrix and filler materials. The maximum tensile strength for
6wt% filler composite was higher (30.00 MPa) compared to other two combinations. The result also support
from the previous report when ester linkage between cellulosic filler and polypropylene molecule [9]. While
the trend for AC with 4wt% slightly decreases from sample no. 1 to 4 but then jump to 21.77MPa for last
sample. If compared with AC 2wt% shows that it was maintain their strength with 23MPa on average. It can
be seen that at lower concentration of the filler material, specimen 2wt% of AC with PP is 8wt%
demonstrated slightly linear behaviour prior to sharp failure or fracture. This means that specimen deformed
plastically immediate after elastic deformation. Fig. 2 shows the tensile strain test result for difference wt%
for all samples. The sample with lower AC concentration 2wt% has good strain result such as sample no. 1
has maximum tensile strain at 6.27%. Similar with sample PP 6wt% + AC 4wt% even though strain is
increased at 5.74% but then decreased at same end point for sample PP 8wt% + AC 2wt% . This trend might
be impacted the performance of AC-reinforced plastic composites depends on many factors including the
nature of the constituent, carbon/matrix interface, the construction and geometry of the composite and test
conditions. The nature of the interface region is extreme importance and is directly related to the toughness of
the composite [9]. The impact property of a material is its capacity to absorb and dissipate energies under
impact or shock loading. Fig. 3 shows the Izod Impact test result for different AC + PP weight percentage for
all samples. It was observed that the Izod impact strength of PP 6wt% + AC 4wt% composites found higher
impact value reach 130J better than others composites. Particle size, shape and carbon surface properties have
the influence on this sample. This result agrees with previous report due to in fluency of AC contents [12].

Fig. 4. (a). SEM micrograph view 100um; (b) SEM micrograph view 50um

3.2. SEM Micrograph

Microphotographs of the selected samples for AC + PP composite are shown in Fig. 4. In both cases
surface features and regions of internal and external structures can be seen, as can the empty space between
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the particles were agglomerated with granules of AC. Location of PP is stick between epoxy resin surface. Fig.
4(a) shows the optical overview 100um and 4(b) with enlarge overview 50um. From the enlarge photo it is
showed that AC is rich with influences in the epoxy resin and not joining with PP matrix. This was also
support that the tensile stress is maximum at 30MPa when PP 4wt% + AC 6wt%. From the Fig. 4 (b) also
observed the AC is nearest to each other’s might affect the tensile stress value.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, the result for maximum tensile stress leads by PP 4wt% + AC 6wt% composite and it is
showed that if increased the AC content will give better strength. In contrast impact strength value is
increased while increased the PP contents 6wt% and AC4wt%. This was also observed that same result with
the previous report was found that AC influenced in epoxy resin when increase the AC content [12].

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysian government
for providing the research grant Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/2/10/TK/UNIKL/03/2).

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