Characterization of Polymeric Foam Composite Reinforced with Empty Fruit Bunch

Abstract

The use of organic fiber in composite materials has recently become an exciting research object done because it has superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to synthetic fiber. Some of the advantages of using organic fiber on composite materials compared to synthetic fiber are low density, the fiber made from renewable materials that require less energy to produce, lower production costs, less risk on manufacturing processes. The use of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) as fiber in this study due to the abundant availability and as an alternative to reducing waste in the palm oil processing industry. The purpose of this research is to know the mechanical, morphological and thermal characteristics of the polymeric foam composite reinforced with empty fruit bunch. Using 10%, 15% and 20% EFB fiber, polyurethane (PU) as a blowing agent and unsaturated polyester resin 157 BTQN-Ex series as a matrix. The tensile test results show the best tensile strength is specimen B (70 wt% resin, 15 wt% polyurethane and 15 wt% EFB). The morphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows that the addition of the percentage of EFB fiber up to 20 wt% affects the cavity formed of polymeric foam composite material where the cavity looks uneven, and it appears that EFB and resin fibers are not well mixed and there are agglomerations of fibers. The result of thermal stability testing using Thermogravimetry Analyzer (TGA) showed that the best thermal stability was specimen C with peak temperature (Tpeak) 356,7 °C in 30 minutes with a mass decrease 66,506%.