The Effect of Glycol Type, Glycol Mixture, and Isocyanate/Glycol Ratio on Flexural Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch-Polyurethane Composites

Abstract

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)-polyurethane (PU) composites were produced. The effects of the isocyanate (NCO)/glycol (OH) ratio, glycol type, and mixtures (polyethylene glycol PEG 400 (M _w 400) and polypropylene glycol PPG 400 (M _w 400)) on the flexural properties were investigated. The NCO/OH ratio had a significant effect on the flexural properties of the EFB-PU composites. Composites made with PEG 200 exhibited higher flexural properties than with PEG 400 and PPG 400. The flexural properties were also found to be influenced by the PPG 400/PEG 400 ratio.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (MOSTE) and Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, for the IRPA grant that has made this research work possible.