Dimensional Stability Properties of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) from Treated Oil Palm (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Elaeis guineensis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) Fibres

Zawawi Ibrahim,Ridzuan Ramli,Mansur Ahmad,Astimar Abdul Aziz,Mohd Ariff Jamaludin,Aisyah Humaira Alias,Suhaimi Muhammed

doi:10.4236/ojcm.2016.64009

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatments by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid on oil palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibres for the production of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). The EFB fibres were treated with chemicals in the concentration range of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% prior to refining. Single-homogenous layer MDF with 12 mm thickness and density of 720 kg/m3 was produced. Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) was applied at 10% loading (based on dry weight of dry fibres) as a binder. The physical properties (Water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS)) of the produced panels were tested according to European Standard, EN 622-5:2006. The results show that types of chemical used had greater effects than concentration on the dimensional stability of the MDF. EFB fibres treated with acetic acid produced MDF with better dimensional stability compared to the MDF NaOH treated fibres. High concentration of NaOH produced poor dimensional stability in the panels.

Highlights

Natural fibers are lignocellulosic materials that have good potential to be used in any composite materials
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatments by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid on oil palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibres for the production of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)
The results show that types of chemical used had greater effects than concentration on the dimensional stability of the MDF

Summary

Introduction

Natural fibers are lignocellulosic materials that have good potential to be used in any composite materials. The advantages such as availability, light weight, specific strength and good modulus properties make the natural fibres the preferred option as the main raw material, filler or as reinforcement, in composite panels. The main disadvantage of natural fiber is the structural compositions that allow easy absorption of water which leads to poor bonding and strength. In order to improve the fibre properties, treatment is necessary. The principle of treatment is to modify the fibre structures and change the composition [1] and to alter the structure of cellulosic material to make the cellulose more accessible with the goal of modifying the surfaces of the fibres [2]. Abdelmouleh et al [3] has suggested chemical treatments such as mercerization and acetylation that resulted in the modification of fibre chemistry

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