Sains Malaysiana 39(1)(2010): 87–92

Mechanical Properties of Short Random Oil Palm Fibre

Reinforced Epoxy Composites

(Ciri-ciri Mekanikal Gentian Pendek Secara Rawak Kelapa Sawit Bertetulang Komposit Epoksi)

 

Mohd Zuhri Mohamed Yusoff*, Mohd Sapuan Salit,

Napsiah Ismail & Riza Wirawan

Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

 

Received: 26 December 2008 / Accepted: 6 July 2009

 

ABSTRACT

 

This paper presents the study of mechanical properties of short random oil palm fibre reinforced epoxy (OPF/epoxy) composites. Empty fruit bunch (EFB) was selected as the fibre and epoxy as the matrix. Composite plate with four different volume fractions of oil palm fibre was fabricated, (5 vol%, 10 vol%, 15 vol% and 20 vol%). The fabrication was made by hand-lay up techniques. The tensile and flexural properties showed a decreasing trend as the fibre loading was increased. The highest tensile properties was obtained for the composite with fibre loading of 5 vol% and there were no significant effect for addition of more than 5 vol% to the flexural properties. Interaction between fibre and matrix was observed from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph.

 

Keywords: Empty fruit bunch; epoxy; flexural properties; tensile properties

 

ABSTRAK

 

Kertas ini membentangkan kajian tentang ciri mekanikal gentian pendek secara rawak kelapa sawit bertetulang komposit epoksi (OPF/epoxy). Tandan buah kosong (EFB) dipilih sebagai gentian dan epoksi sebagai matriks. Plat komposit dengan empat perbezaan pecahan isipadu gentian kelapa sawit telah difabrikasi iaitu 5 isi padu %, 10 isi padu %, 15 isi padu % dan 20 isipadu %. Fabrikasi telah dibuat dengan menggunakan teknik bengkalai dengan tangan. Ciri-ciri kekuatan dan kelenturan menunjukkan trend penurunan apabila kandungan gentian bertambah. Ciri-ciri kekuatan tertinggi terdapat pada komposit dengan kandungan gentian sebanyak 5 isi padu % manakala penambahan lebih daripada 5 isipadu % pada ciri-ciri kelenturan tidak membawa sebarang kesan yang signifikan. Hubungan antara gentian dan matriks di perhatikan melalui mikrograf SEM.

 

Kata kunci: Ciri-ciri kelenturan; ciri-ciri ketegangan; epoksi; tandan buah kosong

 

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*Corresponding author; email: zuhri.yusoff@gmail.com