Palm Leaf Stalk Research Articles

Oil Palm Leaf and Corn Stalk – Mechanical Properties and Surface Characterization

Agro waste can be defined as waste from agricultural plant. Oil palm leaf and corn stalk can be categorized as ago waste material. At first, the comparison between oil palm leaf and corn stalk by mechanical properties from soda pulping process. After that, this study focusing on surface characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Both materials have a potential due to the mechanical properties (tensile, tear, burst and fold) and surface characterization but corn stalk shows more in strength and compactness due to fibre characterization compared to oil palm leaf. This study promoting the green technology in developing a friendly product and suitable to be used as an alternative pulp in paper making industry.

A comparative study on characterisations of Cissus quadrangularis and Phoenix reclinata natural fibres

The morphological, physicochemical, mechanical and thermal properties of Veldt-grape stem fibre and wild date palm leaf stalk fibre are described in this work, which are seldom studied before. The botanical name of Veldt-grape stem fibre and wild date palm leaf stalk fibre are known as Cissus quadrangularis and Phoenix reclinata, respectively. The morphological analysis of vegetable fibres showed the presence of cracks, microvoids and impurities on the surfaces of Veldt-grape stem fibre and wild date palm leaf stalk fibre. Veldt-grape stem fibre possessed the lowest diameter and density of approximately 0.2668 mm and 1.2128 g/cm3, respectively, compared to wild date palm leaf stalk fibre. An X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis of Veldt-grape stem fibre and wild date palm leaf stalk fibre exhibited the presence of cellulose Iβ with a crystallinity index of 30.9% and 38.8%, respectively. Wild date palm leaf stalk fibre contained high surface roughness in the range of 0.904 µm than Veldt-grape stem fibre (0.611 µm). Tensile tests displayed that wild date palm leaf stalk fibre has highest tensile strength of around 66 MPa, and Veldt-grape stem fibre has highest strain to failure of around 6% in comparison with other fibre. The thermogravimetric analysis indicates that thermal stability of Veldt-grape stem fibre and wild date palm leaf stalk fibre is better up to 230℃ and 250℃, respectively, which are well within the polymerisation process temperature.

Continuous unidirectional palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber/glass—polyester composites: static and dynamic mechanical properties

Various chemical treatments such as mercerization (alkali treatment), permanganate treatment, and benzoyl chloride treatment were performed on palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers. Composites were fabricated by hand layup method followed by compression molding process using unsaturated polyester as matrix. Two types of composites were fabricated, one by using treated continuous palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers and other by hybridizing nonwoven glass fiber mat and alkali treated continuous palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers with bilayer arrangement. In both the cases palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber is laid unidirectionally for composite fabrication. The composites were tested for its tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic mechanical properties. There was an increase of 33% in tensile, 55% in flexural, and 50% in impact strength for benzoyl, permanganate, and alkali treated composites, respectively, compared to untreated fiber composites. But all the treated fiber composites did not show much variation in properties. Hybridization resulted in 54, 36, and 58% improvement in tensile, flexural, and impact properties, respectively, in comparison to unhybridized treated unidirectional palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber composites. Reinforcement of alkali treated fibers and hybridization of glass fibers enhanced the loss and storage modulus of the composites, increased glass transition temperature (Tg), and also reduced the tan δ peak. A positive shift in tan δ was also evident for all the composites.

Influence of alkali treatment and layering pattern on the tensile and flexural properties of Palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber (PPLSF)/jute fiber polyester hybrid composites

During the current investigation, alkali treated Palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber (PPLSF) and jute fibers were chosen as reinforcement for the unsaturated polyester matrix. Layering patterns such as bi-layer (PPLSF/jute) and tri-layer (PPLSF/jute/PPLSF and jute/PPLSF/jute) were chosen, and composites were fabricated by hand layup followed by compression molding process. The tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites with different layering pattern were determined and compared with pure PPLSF and jute unsaturated polyester composites. It was observed that the bi-layer composites had higher tensile properties, while the tri-layer (jute/PPLSF/jute) composites had higher flexural properties in comparison with PPLSF composites. Seventeen percent improvement in tensile strength, 51% improvement in tensile modulus for bi-layer composites and 45% improvement in flexural strength, 60% improvement in flexural modulus for jute/PPLSF/jute composites were observed in comparison with the PPLSF composites. Fractographic studies on the tensile fractured surfaces were performed using scanning electron microscopy that showed the evidence of interface adhesion between the fiber and matrix.

Static and dynamic mechanical properties of alkali treated unidirectional continuous Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk Fiber/jute fiber reinforced hybrid polyester composites

Alkali treated continuous Palmyra Palm Leaf Stalk Fiber (PPLSF) and jute fibers were used as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester matrix and their static and dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated. Continuous PPLSF and jute fibers were aligned unidirectionally in bi-layer arrangement and the hybrid composites were fabricated by compression molding process. Positive hybrid effect was observed for the composites due to hybridization. Increasing jute fiber loading showed a considerable increase in tensile and flexural properties of the hybrid composites as compared to treated PPLSF composites. Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) of the fractured surfaces showed the nature of fiber/matrix interface. The impact strength of the hybrid composites were observed to be less compared to pure PPLSF composites. Addition of jute fibers to PPLSF and alkali treatment of the fibers has enhanced the storage and loss modulus of the hybrid composites. A positive shift of Tanδ peaks to higher temperature and reduction in the peak height of the composites was also observed. The composites with higher jute loading showed maximum damping behavior. Overall the hybridization was found to be efficient showing increased static and dynamic mechanical properties. A comparative study of properties of this hybrid composite with other hybrids made out of using natural/glass fibers is elaborated. Hybridization of alkali treated jute and PPLSF has resulted in enhanced properties which are comparable with other natural/glass fiber composites thus increasing the scope of application in manufacturing of light weight automotive parts.

Influence of pre-treatments on the mechanical properties of palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber–polyester composites

Palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers were subjected to various chemical pre-treatments like Mercerization, benzoylation, and permanganate treatment with the aim of improving the adhesion with the matrix. Composites were prepared by reinforcing untreated and pre-treated fibers in unsaturated polyester matrix and mechanical performances are studied. The Mercerized and benzoyl-treated fiber composites had an improvement of around 60% in tensile strength while the tensile modulus increased by 37% and 60%, respectively. In the case of permanganate-treated fiber composites, the flexural strength increased by 70% and flexural modulus increased by 110% in comparison to the untreated composites. The impact strength for the Mercerized and permanganate-treated fiber composite improved by 55% and 42% in comparison to the untreated fiber composites, respectively. Chemical pre-treatment of fibers reduced water absorption of the composites. The benzoyl chloride treated fibers absorbed less water in comparison to the untreated fiber composites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the reinforcing-treated fiber has enhanced the thermal stability of the composites. Scanning electron microscope fractographs of the composites revealed the presence of good adhesion between the fibers and matrix compared to the untreated fiber composites. The composites exhibited comparable properties with other composites based on natural fibers.