000			04120ntm a2200325 i 4500
003			MY-KuUP
005			20260918160900.0
006			t||||fr|||| 000 0
007			ta
008			150922t20142014my da f abm 000 0 eng d
020			_aTHE0008004(Local) _qhardback
040			_aUMP _beng _cUMP _erda
090			_aTA418.9.C6 G87 2014 r Thesis
100	1		_aGupta, Ritu, _eauthor.
245		0	_aPrediction of mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites through theoretical and mathematical modelling / _cRitu Gupta
264		1	_aKuantan, Pahang : _bUMP, _c2014
264		4	_c©2014
300			_axvi, 260 pages : _billustrations (some color) ; _c30 cm. + _e2 CD-ROM
336			_2rdacontent _atext
337			_2rdamedia _aunmediated
338			_2rdacarrier _avolume
500			_aFaculty of Computer Systems and Software Engineering
502			_aThesis (Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang -- 2014
504			_aBibliography : p. 184-230
520			_aWood plastic composites (WPC) have emerged as new option for composites in the composite industry. WPC have been accepted globally due to their remarkable advantages compared to synthetic fiber composites. In order to manufacture WPC with specific properties and quality, the industries at present employ trial-and-error method. Besides taking up a lot of time, a significant amount of materials is wasted with this method. However, this problem can be reduced to some extent through the use of simulation models for the prediction of the properties in the composites. Modeling and simulation allow users to visualize the effects of the parameters that are especially challenging for comprehension. In addition, the properties of WPC are dependent on the processing conditions. Hence, there are many parameters involved in the manufacturing process. Some of these parameters are important and are included in the simulation model to study and to understand their effects on the final WPC product. Thus, an integrated simulation model has been proposed to predict the thermal and the mechanical properties of WPC, which comprised of three main modules: a) the heat transfer model, b) the mechanical model, and c) the empirical model. The heat transfer model predicts the profile of temperature and the degree of cure via Melt Flow Index (MFI) and Young’s modulus for every layer during hot compression molding. Besides, a finite difference method was used to estimate the changes in the temperature in WPC during the compression molding process. Next, the mechanical model predicts the mechanical properties, such as Young’s modulus and tensile strength. Lastly, an empirical model to predict the Young’s modulus and the tensile strength based on the effects of the coupling agents. All the three models were validated with experimental results. The simulation model for heat transfer inside the board predicted the changes in temperature and the curing index of the composite across the thickness during the compression molding process. The proposed mechanical model successfully predicted the changes in tensile strength and Young's modulus with changes in the percentage of wood fiber. Furthermore, wood fiber was considered as a natural resource with nonuniform properties, as far as this study was concerned. Thus, the changes in the mechanical strength of WPC were predicted as the changes in the properties of wood fibers involved reduction in void volume, alkalization, and variations in moisture content. Moreover, the empirical model predicted the mechanical properties as a function of seven individual parameters for composites that were made of four types of fibers (Jute, Abaca, Hemp, and Pine) and Polypropylene. This model had been found helpful in predicting the effects of coupling agents on the mechanical strength of the composite. Therefore, this integrated research work with GUI should be able to aid the industry and the researchers concerning WPC
650		0	_aPlastic-impregnated wood
650		0	_aComposite materials
650		0	_aWood _xPreservation
942			_2lcc _cTHESIS
999			_c8688 _d8694