Sains Malaysiana 37(4):  383-387 (2008)

 

Effect of Filler and Thermal Aging on the Mechanical Properties of Phenolated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Base Composite

(Kesan Pengisi dan Penuaan Terma pada Sifat Mekanik pada Komposit

Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Terfenol)

 

 

Ali Ahmadzadeh, Sarani Zakaria, Rozaidi Rasid & Sharifah Nabihah

School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology

University Kebangsaan Malaysia ,43600 Bangi, Selangor,

D.E.Malaysia

 

 

Received :  25 January 2008 / Accepted:  20 February 2008

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

Biofiber is used in the polymer based composite as a renewable resource due to its positive environmental benefits, biodegradable properties, low cost and high toughness. Biocomposite was fabricated using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as filler in phenolated EFB (PEFB) matrix. Phenolated EFB (PEFB)  obtained from liquefaction of EFB in phenol was used as a biopolymer to replace novolak phenolic resin which is commonly used in composite materials. Sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst in the liquefaction reaction. The effect of thermal aging and blending ratio of PEFB matrix and EFB fibers on the mechanical properties of composites has been studied. The flexural data before and after thermal aging revealed the optimum amount of EFB filler is 50% .  The result showed better compatibility between EFB and PEFB when compared with EFB and commercial novolak resin.

 

Keywords: Biocomposite; EFB; flexural; izod impact; liquefaction

 

 

ABSTRAK

 

Gentian semulajadi yang boleh diperbaharui digunakan dalam pembuatan komposit yang berasaskan polimer berikutan sifatnya yang mesra alam, terbiodegradasi, murah dan kekuatan yang tinggi. Biokomposit dihasilkan dengan EFB sebagai pengisi kepada pemfenolan EFB (PEFB). PEFB yang diperolehi daripada pencecairan EFB di dalam fenol digunakan sebagai biopolimer bagi menggantikan resin fenolik novolak yang biasa digunakan dalam bahan komposit. Asid sulfurik digunakan sebagai mangkin tindakbalas pencecairan. Kesan bagi penuaan terma dan nisbah campuran bagi matrik PEFB dan gentian EFB pada sifat mekanik komposit dikaji. Data bagi ujian lenturan sebelum dan selepas pematangan terma telah menunjukkan pengisi 50% EFB adalah yang terbaik. Keputusan menunjukkan keserasian yang di antara EFB dan PEFB berbanding EFB dengan resin novolak komersil.

 

Kata kunci: Biokomposit; EFB; hentaman izod; lenturan; pencecairan

 

 

 

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