Mechanical properties of benzoylated oil palm empty fruit bunch short fiber reinforced poly(vinyl chloride) composites

Abstract

Mechanical properties of benzoylated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) short fiber reinforced poly (vinyl chloride) composites were studied. The influence of fiber content and benzoylation of the fiber on the mechanical properties of the composite were evaluated. Benzoylated OPEFB short fiber were produced by mixing OPEFB with NaOH solution and agitated well with benzoyl chloride. Then, to produce composites, PVC resin and various additives were first dry blended using a laboratory mixer before being milled into sheets on a two-roll milled and hot pressed into samples. The mechanical properties of PVC and four samples untreated fiber and treated fiber as the fiber content increased from 10 to 40phr were determined. The benzoylation of the fiber improved the adhesion of the fiber to the poly (vinyl chloride) matrix. The benzoylated fiber was also analyzed by using FTIR. Experimental results indicate that a better compatibility between benzoylated fiber and poly (vinyl chloride) was achieved. Both the untreated and treated composite showed the same trend, the tensile and impact strength was decreased and the tensile modulus was increased with increasing fiber content. However, the benzoylation of the OPEFB fiber was able to enhance the tensile properties, impact strength and resistant to the water absorption.