Mechanical Properties of Benzoylated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Short Fiber Reinforced Poly(vinyl chloride) Composites

Abstract

The influence of untreated and benzoylated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) short fiber loading on the mechanical properties of the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite was studied. Benzoylated OPEFB was produced by mixing OPEFB with NaOH solution and agitating vigorously with benzoyl chloride. The PVC resin, various additives, and OPEFB were first dry blended using a laboratory mixer before being milled into sheets on a two-roll mill at 165°C and then hot pressed into composite samples at 180°C. The tensile and impact strength of untreated and benzoylated OPEFB composites decreased whereas the tensile modulus increased with increasing fiber loading from 0 to 40 phr. However, the benzoylated OPEFB was able to improve the tensile properties and impact strength of composites when compared to the untreated fiber. The enhancement of mechanical properties showed that the treatment improved the OPEFB fiber-PVC matrix interfacial adhesion. The improvement of adhesion was clarified by SEM micrographs, the increase of water resistance, and the reduction of glass transition temperature of the composites.

Keywords:

• Benzoylation surface treatment
• Composite
• Mechanical properties
• Oil palm empty fruit bunch
• Poly(vinyl chloride)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Polymer Engineering Department and Membrane Research Unit for providing the facilities for this research work. The authors would also like to thank the Industrial Resin Malaysia (IRM) Sdn. Bhd. Tampoi, Johor, Malaysia and Sabutek Sdn Bhd, Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia for materials support throughout this work.

Notes

Parenthesis ( ) = standard deviation.