This document summarizes research on developing a novel feeding system for an extrusion process to manufacture kenaf plastic composites. The system aims to provide efficient mixing of kenaf fibers and plastic with minimal clogging. It describes the kenaf fiber processing methods in Malaysia, characteristics of kenaf fibers, design of the twin screw extruder and feeding system, processing conditions tested, and analysis of the composites produced. The research aims to optimize the feeding system and processing parameters to achieve high fiber loading in the composites.

1. Application of novel feeding system
extrusion in manufacturing Tropical
Kenaf Plastic Composite
Khalina Abdan, Phd
Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology,
Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest
Products,(INTROP)
Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400,Serdang, Selangor.

2.  Presentation outline
 Overview of Kenaf Malaysia
 Kenaf Fibre Processing
 Extrusion Feeding System
 Kenaf Polymer Composites
 Potential of Biobased Composite Industry in
Malaysia

3.  Overview of Kenaf Malaysia
 It was introduced in 2000
 Malaysia National Tobacco Board (MNTB) has
successful planted 1000 hectares in 2007 at
Eastern Malaysia for R&D&C and established few
kenaf processing mills such as KFI Natural Fibre
Industries Sdn. Bhd.
 Kenaf plantation is fully mechanized to reduce
labour and increase yield

4. KENAF MECHANIZATION
4
Land Preparation
Sowing & Fertilising
1 week
Pest Control 2 months
3.5 Month old
2nd fertilizing

5.  Overview of Kenaf Industry in Malaysia
 The developing of kenaf industry is reflected
by two important events:The transformation
of (MNTB) to Malaysian National Kenaf and
Tobacco Board (MNKTB) and the inclusion
of kenaf industry as one of strategic industries
under the East Coast Economic Region
(ECER) Development Program
Malaysian government has taken the
initiative to focus on the development
of kenaf-based products by integrating

the upstream to downstream
processing R&D, towards economic
and marketing activities

6.  Kenaf Fibre Processing
 Infield Processing (decortication) (MNKTB)
 Whole stem to long bast and water retting
Hammer mill processing (KFI Sdn. Bhd.)
 Whole stem to short bast and core fibre (10 -20mm),
 Pulverizing process (Polyregion Sdn. Bhd.)
 Chip fibre to fine fibre (0.2-1mm)

7. Screening process
Pulverise Chip

8. Fibre Density
(g/cm3)
FIBRE PROPERTIES
Elongation(%) Tensile
Strength
(MPa)
Elastic
Modulus
(GPa)
Cotton 1.6 7 287 5.5
Flax 1.5 2.7 345 27.6
Hemp 1.5 1.6 690 70
Sisal 1.5 2 511 9.4
Ramie 1.5 1.2 400 61.4
Kenaf 1.4 1.6 930 53
Jute 1.3 1.5 393 26.5
Coir 1.2 30 175 4.0
Bledzki et al.,2000

9. Graph L/D ratio
FIBER CHARACTERIZATION:
Graph bulk density
Graph moisture content
Bulk density for kenaf(250μ
-650μ)
Physical Properties

10. Water
degradation Lignin
FT-IR Graph DTG kenaf fiber
degradation
Hemicellulose
degradation
Hemicelluloses
O-H plane
bending
(3341cm-1
and 3345
cm-1)_
FIBER CHARACTERIZATION: Thermal and
Chemical Properties

11. FIBER CHARACTERIZATION:
Morphological
Florescence
Microscope
Kenaf fiber SEM photomicrograph illustrating
the present of hollow portion in
natural fibre (1000x).
SEM photomicrograph illustrating
the present of kenaf fiber in
plastic composite

12.  Extrusion Feeding System
 It has been designed to provide less clogging and efficient
mixing of kenaf and plastic in order to achieve desire fibre
loading using various fibre mesh by applying continuous
feeding system
 The feeding rate study was conducted to identify
relationship between fibre mesh and the highest potential
fibre loading
 The optimization processing condition was examine to
determine the suitable feeder speed, main screw mixer
speed and mixing temperature.

13. Biocomposite Twin Screw Extruder :
Plastic Feeder
Kenaf Feeder
Twin Spiral Screw
Agitator
Water Bath

14. Main Part of Extruder : Feeder
Side Feeder
motor
Main Feeder
Motor
Main Feeder Side feeder
Motor Single Unit 2 Units
Input Plastic resin Kenaf fiber
To ensure continuous feeding of kenaf ; two motors are required
whereby first motor dedicated to avoid clogging and second
motor devoted for transportation of kenaf fiber

15. Advantages of Kenaf Feeder
1. High in output precision
2. High volume of output
Motor
Speed
Double
Stage
Feeder
25 Hz 177 g/min ±3%
Single Stage
Feeder
25 Hz 82 g/min ±11%
Project’s Potential
Output Tolerance
Feeder for light weight material in composite compounding and
extrusion industries, food industries and material handling industries.

16. Compounding
zone
Melting Zone
Kenaf enter
the barrel
Metering
Zone
Main Part of Extruder : Barrel
Zone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Temperature (oC) 190 200 220 220 190 190 190 190 190 190

17. 15 CM
15 CM
Dumble Size

18. Instron Tensile Test Machine

19. Acknowledgement
 The research was supported by Grant of Economic Planning
Unit, Prime Ministry Department
Title : Development of Biocomposite Material from Kenaf
Fibre for Industrial Building System and Furniture
Component.
Sub research title: Rheological Behaviours of Kenaf Fiber
Reinforced Plastics Composite prepared using
Biocomposite Twin Screw Extruder.
NATURAL FIBRE REINFORCED
PLASTIC COMPOSITE MILLS