Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber as New Lignocellulosic Material for Fabrication of Polymer/Fiber Biocomposites

Yoon Yee Then,Hidayah Ariffin,Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus,Nor Azowa Ibrahim,Norhazlin Zainuddin

doi:10.1155/2013/797452

Abstract

New biocomposites consisting of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) and various content (0–70 wt%) of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) or oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFBF) were fabricated by melt blending and subsequently hotpress moulding. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties of those biocomposites were evaluated and compared. Enhancement of flexural modulus of 200 or 150% was observed with PBS biocomposite loaded with 70 wt% of OPMF or OPEFBF. PBS/OPMF biocomposites exhibited higher values of tensile, flexural and impact strengths, and tensile and flexural moduli than those of PBS/OPEFBF biocomposites. These results indicated that OPMF feature better reinforcing agent for PBS as compared to that of OPEFBF.

Highlights

(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized by the polycondensation of 1, 4-butanediol and succinic acid [1]
PBS biocomposites loaded with various amount (0–70 wt%) of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) or oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFBF) were successfully fabricated by melt blending and their tensile, flexural, and impact properties were examined and reported
PBS biocomposites loaded with 80 wt% of fibers were fabricated in our experiment but later excluded from our experiment because the mixing is poor due to insufficient PBS to wet the fiber

Summary

Introduction

(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized by the polycondensation of 1, 4-butanediol and succinic acid [1]. It has excellent mechanical properties, melt processing capability, and biodegradability [2]. It can be degraded by microorganisms in compost, soil, and seawater [1, 3]. Blending of PBS with low cost natural fiber may produce the required materials at competitive price [3]. Utilization of natural fibers in composite preparation offer several advantages compared to those of synthetic fibers which include low density, low cost, renewability, and biodegradability [4, 5]. Rozman et al [11] reported that incorporation of the OPEFBF into polypropylene matrix resulted in an improved tensile modulus but reduced in tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength with increasing fiber content

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Conclusion