Recycled Polypropylene-Oil Palm Biomass: The Effect on Mechanical and Physical Properties

Title
Recycled Polypropylene-Oil Palm Biomass: The Effect on Mechanical and Physical Properties

Author
H.P.S. Abdul Khalil
Bio-Resource, Paper and Coating Technology, School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia,akhalil@usm.my

B.T. Poh
Bio-Resource, Paper and Coating Technology, School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia

A.M. Issam
Bio-Resource, Paper and Coating Technology, School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia

M. Jawaid
Bio-Resource, Paper and Coating Technology, School of Industrial Technology Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia

R. Ridzuan
Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Biomass Technology Centre Engineering and Processing Division, Jalan Sekolah, Pekan Bangi Lama Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia


Abstract

In this study, 25-year-old oil palm biomass (OPB) fiber—polypropylene (PP) composites are prepared by five different fiber loadings (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%). The types of OPB used are oil palm empty fruit bunches, oil palm frond, and oil palm trunk. Transmission electron microscopy has confirmed that the cell wall structures of the various oil palm fibers have different cell wall thicknesses and exhibit the same ultrastructure as that of wood. The fibers consist of middle lamella, primary, and thick secondary walls with different thicknesses for different types of fibers. The secondary wall is differentiated into a S₁ layer, a unique multi-lamellae S ₂ layer, and a S₃ layer. OPB fibers are compounded with PP using a Brabender DSK 42/7 twin screw extruder. The mechanical features such as tensile, flexural and impact properties of the OPB—PP composite are studied. The melt flow index (MFI) of the composite materials is also studied. Generally, the results show that lower fiber loading (10%) exhibits the highest tensile strength and MFI properties as compared to higher fiber loading (50%). Evidence of a fiber—matrix interphase is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.

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http://jrp.sagepub.com/content/29/8/1117.abstract