Effects of Chemical Reagents on the Properties of Oil Palm Fruit Fiber Composite

Abstract

To ensure proper adhesion of natural fiber with the polymer matrix, chemical treatment is applied. In this work, chemical agents were reacted to form a treatment reagent (Linoleic Acid, L.A reagent). Oil Palm Fruit Fiber (OPFF) was soaked in it at different soaking time of 0-6 hours’ even numbers. Their effects on the mechanical property of the fiber reinforced polyester composite at each treatment time were obtained and discussed. The optimum soaking time for each property were obtained. The method used for composite preparation is Hand Lay-up method. The maximum tensile strength (10.717MPa), the maximum impact strength (99.868j/m2) and the maximum flexural strength (84.526MPa) were all obtained at 2 hours’ optimum treatment time. Their untreated composites gave 7.012MPa, 113.684j/m2 and 41.007MPa respectively. The maximum flexural modulus (6527.404MPa) was obtained at 4 hours optimum soaking time and the untreated gave 5026.187MPa. Also, the maximum percentage water absorption (2.203%) occurred at 6 hours and the maximum density (1085.895g/cm3) was obtained at 2 hours, while their untreated gave 1.230% and 1099.890g/cm3 respectively. The SEM result showed a better surface interaction of the fiber with the polymer matrix, than the untreated. The TGA/DTA results showed improvement in the thermal stability of the composite at 450oC. Greater percentage crystallinity of the fibers was also shown by the XRD result. From these results, it can be said that the L.A treatment improved the properties of OPFF at various optimum soaking time.