Dimensional Stability Properties of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) from Treated Oil Palm (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>) Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) Fibres

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pre-treatments by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and acetic acid on oil palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibres for the production of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). The EFB fibres were treated with chemicals in the concentration range of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% prior to refining. Single-homogenous layer MDF with 12 mm thickness and density of 720 kg/m 3 was produced. Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) was applied at 10% loading (based on dry weight of dry fibres) as a binder. The physical properties (Water Absorption (WA) and Thickness Swelling (TS)) of the produced panels were tested according to European Standard, EN 622-5:2006. The results show that types of chemical used had greater effects than concentration on the dimensional stability of the MDF. EFB fibres treated with acetic acid produced MDF with better dimensional stability compared to the MDF NaOH treated fibres. High concentration of NaOH produced poor dimensional stability in the panels.

Characterization of Selected Properties of Composites of Waste Paper With Untreated Bamboo Stem Fibre and Rice Husk

“…Meanwhile, [8] has found that untreated composites of rattan particulate reinforced paper pulp, using starch as a binder, is better than alkali treated samples in water absorption. Chemical treatment has been reported as capable of removing hemicelluloses and lignin content of the plant fibre resulting in a reduction of water absorption and thickness swelling of the biocomposites [1,19]. This result agrees with this earlier finding as the BSF contains no wax and has higher amount of lignin and hemicelluloses than rice husk.…”

“…It is essential to characterize the properties of composites produced from different materials sources to discern suitable blend or composition for specific applications. Chemical pre-treatment has been recommended for natural fibres used in composites to enhance the removal of hemicelluloses constituents, which are hydrophilic and often responsible for high thickness swelling and water absorptivity of the resulting composites [1]. Meanwhile, binders are important components in composites matrix.…”

“…These basic components determine the physical properties of the fibres, physico-mechanical properties of the biocomposites and can be altered or disturbed by physical/chemical treatment [9]. For instance, cel-lulose makes plant fibres hydrophilic [10] and acid treatment reduces their water absorption and thickness swelling [1].…”

“…Composite materials produced from agricultural wastes and natural fibres have special merit, because of their elimination of environmental wastes. They have been said to have advantages, such as availability, light weight, specific strength and good modulus properties [1][2][3].…”

Thermal and Dynamic Properties of Woven Kenaf/Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composite

“…Over the last decade, natural fibre is known as a reinforcement material in polymer composite, due to the environmental concerns by substituting synthetic or man-made fibres. Natural fibre reinforced polymer composite (NFRPC) is a composite material made up of a polymer matrix mixed with natural fibres, such as oil palm [1], jute [2,3], flax [4], banana fibre [5], kenaf [6,7] ramie [8]. These fibres are widely used as reinforcements in the NFRPC because they are low in density, good in mechanical properties, recyclable, and well in terms of strength per weight materials [9,10].…”