Natural weathering studies of oil palm trunk lumber (OPTL) green polymer composites enhanced with oil palm shell (OPS) nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, a green composite was produced from Oil Palm Trunk Lumber (OPTL) by impregnating oil palm shell (OPS) nanoparticles with formaldehyde resin. The changes of physical, mechanical and morphological properties of the OPS nanoparticles impregnated OPTL as a result of natural weathering was investigated. The OPS fibres were ground with a ball-mill for producing nanoparticles before being mixed with the phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin at a concentration of 1, 3, 5 and 10% w/w basis and impregnated into the OPTL by vacuum-pressure method. The treated OPTL samples were exposed to natural weathering for the period of 6 and 12 months in West Java, Indonesia according to ASTM D1435-99 standard. Physical and mechanical tests were done for analyzing the changes in phenol formaldehyde-nanoparticles impregnated (PF-NPI) OPTL. FT-IR and SEM studies were done to analyze the morphological changes. The results showed that both exposure time of weathering and concentration of PF-NPI had significant impact on physical and mechanical properties of OPTL. The longer exposure of samples to weathering condition reduced the wave numbers during FT-IR test. However, all these physical, mechanical and morphological changes were significant when compared with the untreated samples or only PF impregnated samples. Thus, it can be concluded that PF-NP impregnation into OPTL improved the resistance against natural weathering and would pave the ground for improved products from OPTL for outdoor conditions.

Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Kenaf Composites: Effect of Natural Weathering on Functional Group, Weight Loss Characteristics, Tensile, Morphological and Thermal Properties

“…This leads to the deterioration in molecular weight and mechanical properties of the composites. The obtained results are in agreement with the earlier report by Nazrul Islam et al (2013), Silva et al (2017) and Zaaba et al (2015). Elongation at break is one of the most crucial tensile properties that are used when studying polymer degradation, as it can give an early indication of mechanical failure (Spinace & De Paoli 2015).…”

“…The photo-degradation due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation induces the occurrence of polymer chain scission as well as the leaching of fibers components from the exposed sample surfaces (Azwa et al 2013;Nazrul Islam et al 2013). Composites with 40 phr KNF possess the highest weight loss percentage which can be attributed to the higher amount of KNF detached from composite surfaces.…”

“…They noted that degradation by weathering has induced surface roughness, gloss loss and decrease in tensile properties of the composites, particularly at higher wood fraction. Nazrul Islam et al (2013) observed that the mechanical properties of oil palm trunk lumber (OPTL) green composites decreased with an increasing natural weathering time.…”

Falling Weight Impact Properties of Palm Shell Reinforced Palm Oil‐Based Polyurethane Bio‐Composite Sandwich

“…[6][7][8] Flaky PKS is normally used in the ground form and work as a natural filler for polymer composites. [9] For a purpose of preparation lightweight aggregates in concrete, PKS shells have been used as received without further grinding. [10] On the other hand, dried palm shell (DPS) is another neglected oil palm waste, which has plenty on palm field.…”

Soil Burial Degradation of Oil Palm Shell (OPS) Nanofiller and Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) Resin-Impregnated Oil Palm Trunk Lumber (OPTL): Dimensional Stability and Mechanical Properties

“…Various chemical modification techniques have been used to improve the decay and weather resistance of wood by blocking the hydroxyl groups of cell wall polymers. [10][11][12] Mohebby 8 demonstrated that substitution of the hydroxyl groups from the cell wall polymers by the acetyl groups might be effective, as the acetyl groups are not accessible to the microorganisms. Thus far, phenol formaldehyde (PF) impregnation into OPTL has been widely reported in many studies as a means of protecting against degradation.…”