Palm Fiber-reinforced Polyester Composites Research Articles

Development and Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Date Palm Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

The present work is devoted to investigate mechanical properties viz. compressive and impact properties of date palm Fibre Reinforced Polyester (FRP). Date palm fibre is found around date fruits and at the bottom of each leaf, that is used as fuel in rural areas. Premier grade industrial Isophthalic polyester resin is used as the matrix. Date Palm Fibre is chemically treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for better adhesion. Results reveal that with an addition of fibre content, the compressive load bearing capacity increases. However, impact strength is not significantly increased with fibre content. Low to medium impact composites can be developed by date palm FRP. This investigation is expected to assist making FRP commodity with reduced cost utilizing agricultural waste.

Thermal, mechanical and flame spread properties of hybridized flame retardant in oil palm fibre-polyester panel

In order to mitigate the start and spread of flame of combustible materials, flame retardants (FR) are incorporated during processing that influences mechanical and thermal properties. In this paper six (6) FR species derived from aluminium hydroxide (ATH), ammonium polyphosphate with gum arabic powder (APP-GAP) a new FR, ATH/APP-GAP hybrid formulation and CB synergist at 0, 12, 15 and 18% loading ratio were developed in oil palm fibre reinforced polyester composites panel using hand lay-up compression moulding technique. The effect of the FR on the mechanical, thermal and flame spread properties were then evaluated. Flame spread results using radiant panel flame spread apparatus show hybrid flame retardant panel traveled less distance of 150 mm from 450 mm of the control without FR which represents a 67% decrease and indicative of a weak available flame spread energy that led to flame extinguishment. Mechanical properties obtained with the universal testing machine reveals improved tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural strength in the case of the 12%ATH non-hybrid FR by 16.2%, 5.9% and 71.2% respectively, indicative of ATH having great affinity with the polyester resin and effective transfer of stresses. Thermogravimeteric analysis reveals that the 12%ATH non-hybrid FR and the 15%APP-GAP/CB non-hybrid-synergist FR are more thermally stable before degradation began around 376 °C and 391 °C and fully degraded at 421 °C and 415 °C respectively. Char residue at 900 °C also confirms that the non-hybrid synergist residual mass at 17.47% indicative of a rich decomposition nature of APP-GAP–CB into a more stable char structure could be a good flame retardant. The results obtained indicates that the new concept of APP-GAP to formulate an hybridized FR and non-hybrid-synergist in oil palm fibre-polyester panel is feasible to meet the expectations of a good flame retardancy and thermal stability but do not support improved mechanical properties.

Investigations on Thermal Conductivity of Palm Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites

The palm fibre reinforced polyester composites (PFRP) have been prepared by using hand- lay- up technique. The thermal conductivity of the palm fibre reinforced polyester composites at different volume fractions of the fibre is determined experimentally by using Lee's apparatus. The principle of heat transfer by conduction through a bad conductor is equal to the quantity of heat transfer by radiation from metallic disc has been applied. The experimental results shows that the thermal conductivity of the composite increases with increase in fibre percentage. Experimental results are compared with rule of mixture model, parallel model and Maxwell model to describe the variation of the thermal conductivity versus the volume fraction of the fibre. All three models exhibited results close to each other at low fibre content. It has been found that the errors associated with rule of mixtures, parallel model and Maxwell's correlations with respect to experimental ones lie in the range of 33- 79%, 28 to73% and 31 to 75% respectively.

The Effect of Fiber Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Christmas Palm Fiber-Polyester Composites

This paper aims at introducing and investigating the mechanical properties of new variety of natural fibers (Christmas palm fiber) used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. It was inferred that the poor inter laminar bonding between the Christmas palm fibers and polyester matrix restricted the mechanical properties of the composites. Hence surface modifications of Christmas palm fibers by means of alkali treatment were done in a view to enhance the bonding nature of the Christmas palm fiber with polyester matrix. The composite fabrication is carried out using compression moulding machine and the mechanical properties were tested as per ASTM standards. The effect of soaking time and solution concentration of Sodium hydroxide on the mechanical properties of Christmas palm fiber reinforced polyester composites were studied and fiber treatment conditions for better mechanical properties are identified. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed that surface modification improved the fiber/ matrix adhesion which in turn enhanced the mechanical properties of the Christmas palm fiber reinforced polyester composite.

Effect of fiber treatments on mechanical properties of coir or oil palm fiber reinforced polyester composites

The use of plant fibers as a reinforcement in polyester matrices requires the issue of compatibility between the two phases to be addressed. Because plant fibers present hydrophilic surfaces and polyesters are generally hydrophobic, poor fiber–matrix dispersion and wetting of the fibers by the matrix may result. As a consequence, the mechanical properties of the composite are severely reduced. This study considers the effect of fiber treatment by chemical modification of the fibers (acetylation) or the use of silane or titanate coupling agents on the mechanical properties of coir or oil palm reinforced polyester composites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1685–1697, 2000