Influence of the extraction method on the chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) petiole fibers for the reinforcement of composite materials

Abstract

For their use in polymer and composite materials engineering, and with a view to sustainable development, a great deal of work has been carried out with the aim of describing the properties of plant fibers. This work presents the effects of the extraction method on the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of oil palm petiole fibers (OPPF). To this end, the FPPH to be analyzed were obtained by water retting and chemical retting with soda (5% solution). Their physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics were then studied and compared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the existence of the main components of lignocellulosic fiber (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose). Lignin was reduced by 22.74%, hemicellulose by 27.33% and cellulose by 16.87% compared to water retting. XRD revealed a crystallinity index of 58.66% for fibers extracted with a 5% sodium solution and 58.51% for fibers extracted with water retting. Soda retting reduces density by 3%. Tensile tests revealed an average tensile strength of 156.082 MPa for water-rubbed fibers and 205.875 MPa for soda-rubbed fibers, Young’s modulus of 3.432 GPa for water-rubbed fibers and 5.346 GPa for soda-rubbed fibers. Elongation at break for FPPH extracted by water retting was 5.178% and 4.41% respectively. This shows that the extraction method affects mechanical properties (flexibility and stiffness) and should be chosen according to the desired characteristic.