Effect of Kenaf/Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Hybridization and Weight Fractions in Palm Oil Blend Polyester Composite

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research is aimed to investigate the effect of different weight percent of kenaf and empty fruit bunch (EFB) hybrid compositions and fiber fractions (wt%) on the mechanical and thermal properties of unsaturated polyester (UPE)/epoxidized palm oil (EPO) composite. The kenaf and EFB fibers were first treated with an alkali solution before being pressed using a hydraulic hot-pressed machine. In this study, three different kenaf/EFB hybridization compositions were studied which are 100/0, 90/10, 70/30, and 50/50 (wt%) at three different fiber weight fractions (9%, 12%, and 15%) reinforced in UPE/EPO resin. The fiber treatment successfully removed the majority of the moisture, cellulose, and hemicellulose of kenaf and EFB fiber. The mechanical study revealed that the higher composition of EFB in kenaf/EFB hybrid fiber increased Young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength of the resulted composite at 9 and 12 wt% fiber fractions. Thermal analysis proved that the hybridization fibers and higher fiber weight fractions improved the thermal stability by reducing the decomposition rate of the composites. Overall, kenaf/EFB hybridization reinforced in UPE/EPO resin is a good approach toward green composite development.