Effect of Reinforcement Shape and Fiber Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch-Polyethylene Composites

Journal Article · Thu Mar 11 00:00:00 EST 2010 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3377839· OSTI ID:21371684

Arif, M F; Eng, K K ^[1]

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1. Mechanical Engineering Programme, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Bandar Seri Iskandar, 31750 Tronoh, Perak (Malaysia)

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) composites were fabricated using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as the reinforcing material. The effect of reinforcement shape on the tensile and flexural properties, that is 5 mm average length of short fiber and 325-400 {mu}m size distribution of particulate filler have been studied. Overall, EFB short fiber-HDPE composites yield higher mechanical properties compared to EFB particulate-HDPE composites. For both types of composites, considerable improvement showed in tensile and flexural modulus. However, the tensile strength decreased with increase in EFB content. Attempts to improve these properties using alkali and two types of silane, namely gamma-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MTS) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTS) were described. It is found that both types of silane enhanced the mechanical properties of composites. MTS showed better tensile strength compared to VTS. However, only marginal improvement obtained from alkali treatments.

• OSTI ID: 21371684
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1217, Issue 1; Conference: ICAMN-2007: International conference on advancement of materials and nanotechnology, Langkawi, Kedah (Malaysia), 29 May - 1 Jun 2007; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3377839; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DENSITY
FIBERS
FILLERS
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
OIL PALMS
POLYETHYLENES
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SILANES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SILICON COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
TREES