Natural fibre as a reinforcing agent has been widely used in many industries in this era. However, the reinforcing agent devotes a better strength when embedded with a polymer matrix. Nevertheless, the characteristic of natural fibre and polymer matrix are in contrast, as natural fibre is hydrophilic, while polymer is hydrophobic in nature. Natural fibre is highly hydrophilic due to the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH), while polymer matrix has an inherent hydrophobic characteristic which repels water. This issue has been fixed by modifying the natural fibre’s surface using a chemical treatment combining an alkaline treatment and a silane coupling agent. This modifying process of natural fibre might reduce the attraction of water and moisture content and increase natural fibre surface roughness, which improves the interfacial bonding between these two phases. In this paper, the effect of alkaline and silane treatment has been proven by performing the mechanical test, Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FTIR) to observe the surface structure. The chemical compositions and thermal properties of the composites have been obtained by performing Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) tests. 1.0% silane treatment displayed better strength performance as compared to other composites, which was proven by performing Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM). The assumption is that by enduring chemical treatment, kenaf fibre composites could develop high performance in industry applications.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the optimal parameters for friction coefficient of kenaf/epoxy (KE) composite as an alternative friction material. Design/methodology/approach: The design of experiment was constructed using the Taguchi method. KE specimens were formed into 10 mm diameter pins using hot compression technique with different types, weight concentrations and treatments of kenaf. The samples were tested using a pin-on-disc tribometer at different applied loads, speeds and operating temperatures with a constant sliding distance of 3 km under dry sliding conditions. Findings: The sample with 45 wt.% of non-treated kenaf fibre, tested at 19.62 N, 500 rpm and 100°C was found to be the optimized combination to obtain higher friction. From the confirmation test, the experimental friction coefficient is acceptable because of fall within 95 per cent confidence interval. Predominant wear mechanisms are identified as micro-crack and debonding of fibre. Originality/value: KE composite can be considered as an alternative friction material, as the tested friction coefficient is within the suggested range for the friction material applications.

Thermoset composites, commonly used in aerospace applications, offer excellent mechanical strength but face challenges related to repairability, recyclability, and limited energy absorption. As industries increasingly shift towards sustainable and damage-resistant materials, glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastics incorporating nanofillers, such as graphene, have attracted growing attention for their ability to enhance mechanical performance and durability under demanding service conditions. The main objective of this review is to evaluate and optimise glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites modified with silane treatment and nanofillers through the implementation of a quasi-isotropic stacking sequence mechanism. This study reviews and analyses previous research that primarily involved the extrusion of thermoplastics with graphene nanofillers, followed by mechanical (tensile and impact) and thermal evaluations, as well as morphological assessments using scanning electron microscopy to examine the effects of fibre treatment, mesh configuration, and nanofiller dispersion. Findings from these studies reveal that the inclusion of graphene nanofillers in glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites can enhance tensile strength by approximately 16%, improve impact resistance by 37–78%, and increase thermal stability by 15–20%. Overall, this review concludes that the addition of graphene significantly improves mechanical strength, thermal stability, and energy absorption, addressing performance and sustainability concerns in high-demand sectors. The insights presented also highlight potential pathways for future work aimed at refining composite composition, improving durability, and broadening industrial applications.

A typical classification of driving style from a human driver is conducted via self-assessment, which begs the question of the possibility of bias from the respondents. Although some research has been carried out validating the questionnaire, no controlled studies have yet to be reported to validate the Malaysian driving style. This study aimed to validate the Malaysian driver using the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI) with five-factor driving styles (careful, risky, angry, anxious, and dissociative) in on-road situations. Forty-one respondents completed the experiment on two designated routes recorded over 45 min of driving. A modest correlation existed between the MDSI and the score retrieved from the on-road observation assessment. The result showed a low-to-medium correlation collected from acceleration in longitudinal directions compared with correlation analysis utilizing the MDSI scale. Exploring such latent traits is essential for precisely classifying human driver styles without bias.

The thermoforming process is a widely utilized manufacturing technique for shaping thermoplastic materials into various products. Achieving uniform and controlled thermal distribution within the material during thermoforming is crucial to ensure high-quality products and minimize defects. This study investigates and enhances the understanding of thermal distribution in thermoforming processes through simulation analysis before it is done via experiment. This research investigates the thermal distribution in the thermoforming process of Polyphenylene Sulfide composites. The heating element distances were varied during the simulations of the thermoforming process of Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) composites, focusing on understanding how different distances affect the material’s deformability, dimensional accuracy, and overall quality. Three heater temperatures with three heater distances are tested. The distance between two heated surfaces is 200, 300 and 500 mm for 320oC, 360oC and 400oC heated surfaces. The desired PPS temperature (320oC) and maximum heater temperature (400oC) are parameters. The test result shows that to achieve 320oC thermoplastic temperature, we can use 385oC IR heater temperature with a heater distance of 200 mm. However, this 200 mm distance might be too close for the operation, and a larger distance might be needed. Using 300 mm or 500 mm can achieve close to 320oC if the heater temperature is set to 400oC. In conclusion, this value is a reference for the distance of the material between the heater during the fabrication process.