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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