Physical Properties of Eco-friendly Kenaf Fiber Imbedded Nonwoven for Automotive Pillar Trim

This study investigated the physical properties including the sound absorption property of Kenaf natural fiber imbedded nonwoven for automotive pillar trim. Seven kinds of Kenaf imbedded nonwoven specimens mixed with polypropylene and low melting PET fibers were prepared through needle punching nonwoven process. Physical properties such as air permeability, water absorption, sound absorption coefficient, and porosity were measured and compared with different processing factors of needle punching nonwoven. High blend percentage of low melt PET fibers made pore size lower and smaller, which resulted in low air permeability and water absorption. Sound absorption coefficient of nonwoven specimen was highly dependent upon weight and thickness of the nonwoven and correlation coefficient was above 0.83, respectively. It was also affected by pore diameter, i.e. low pore sized nonwoven showed high sound absorption coefficient, which was caused by the high needle depth and high blend ratio of low melt PET.