Abstract
In this study, a mixture of thermoplastic polybutylene succinate (PBS), tapioca starch, glycerol and empty fruit bunch fiber was prepared by a melt compounding method using an industrial extruder. Generally, insertion of starch/glycerol has provided better strength performance, but worse thermal and water uptake to all specimens. The effect of fiber loading on mechanical, morphological, thermal and physical properties was studied in focus. Low interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix revealed a poor mechanical performance. However, higher fiber loadings have improved the strength values. This is because fibers regulate good load transfer mechanisms, as confirmed from SEM micrographs. Tensile and flexural strengths have increased 6.0% and 12.2%, respectively, for 20 wt% empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber reinforcements. There was a slightly higher mass loss for early stage thermal decomposition, whereas regardless of EFB contents, insignificant changes on decomposition temperature were recorded. A higher lignin constituent in the composite (for high natural fiber volume) resulted in a higher mass residue, which would turn into char at high temperature. This observation indirectly proves the dimensional integrity of the composite. However, as expected, with higher EFB fiber contents in the composite, higher values in both the moisture uptake and moisture loss analyses were found. The hydroxyl groups in the EFB absorbed water moisture through formation of hydrogen bonding.
Highlights
The development of biodegradable materials has attracted much research interest by scientists on worldwide
The high volume of fiber reinforcement found deterioration of mechanical properties due to poor interfacial bonding, evidenced from scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and this is not accepted by the market, and similar findings were reported that show a lower tensile strength when alkaline treated-sugarcane fibers were inserted without any plasticizers [35]
When a portion of the starch/glycerol is replaced by empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber, higher values are found in when a portion of the starch/glycerol is replaced by EFB fiber, higher values are found in both moisture both moisture uptake and loss analyses
Summary
The development of biodegradable materials has attracted much research interest by scientists on worldwide. The high volume of fiber reinforcement found deterioration of mechanical properties due to poor interfacial bonding, evidenced from SEM micrograph and this is not accepted by the market, and similar findings were reported that show a lower tensile strength when alkaline treated-sugarcane fibers were inserted without any plasticizers [35]. In the present study, a lower volume of EFB fiber was added into the PBS/starch composite sheet with glycerol plasticizers to improve compatibility. This study has filled the knowledge-of-gap on low EFB fiber reinforcement in PBS/starch composite sheet with plasticizer fillers. The outcomes of this investigation (mechanical, morphological and thermal characterization) could serve as valuable knowledge for future developments on EFB fiber reinforcement in polymer composite
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