Oil palm microcomposites: Processing and mechanical behavior

Abstract

The present work focuses on the effect of concentration and modifications of oil palm microfibrils in natural rubber. Increase in the concentration of microfibrils resulted in the reduction of tensile and tear strengths while an increase in modulus, hardness, and abrasion resistance of composites. The extent of microfibril orientation in the composite was determined from green strength measurements. Microcomposites were also prepared by using fibrils treated with benzoyl chloride, silane coupling agent, and hydrated silica-resorcinol-hexamethylenetetramine bonding agent. The treated and untreated microfibrils were characterized by FTIR. Scanning electron micrograph studies were carried out to analyze the microfibril pull out and fiber/matrix adhesion of composites. The extent of fiber alignment and interfacial adhesion were analyzed from swelling measurements. Finally, experimental results of mechanical properties were compared with the theoretical predictions.

Dynamic behavior of short aramid fiber‐filled elastomer composites

“…These effects were caused by the better heat transfer through the fiber–matrix interfaces and were therefore more pronounced for the NR compounds due to the higher effective fiber volume content. Similar findings for the curing behavior of short fiber‐reinforced elastomers were reported elsewhere . Between the different fiber types and treatments no significant differences could be observed.…”

“…Short fiber‐reinforced elastomers and, especially, those reinforced with aramid, are used for a broad range of applications such as tires, belts, hoses, friction products, and seals . In general, the improvement in composite properties in terms of dynamic mechanical behavior , heat build‐up (HBU) , and wear properties is the reason for this broad application range.…”

Positron lifetime study of PAN‐based carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer composites

“…The FTIR spectra of PBT and PAN-CF reinforced PBT with 10-40 wt% fiber loading measured in transmittance mode are shown in Fig. 13b-f The collection of bands around 2,961-2,875 cm 21 is the stretching of CH, CH 2 , C 2 H 5 and phenyl ring both in aromatic and aliphatic compounds [47,50]. The band at 1,457 cm 21 corresponds to the bending vibrations of methylene [47,50], the band at 1,408 cm 21 assigned to C-C, C 5 C stretching vibration in Benzene ring and the bands at 1,017 and 725 cm 21 are due to the bending vibration of the phenolic C-H bonds [48,51].…”

“…13b-f The collection of bands around 2,961-2,875 cm 21 is the stretching of CH, CH 2 , C 2 H 5 and phenyl ring both in aromatic and aliphatic compounds [47,50]. The band at 1,457 cm 21 corresponds to the bending vibrations of methylene [47,50], the band at 1,408 cm 21 assigned to C-C, C 5 C stretching vibration in Benzene ring and the bands at 1,017 and 725 cm 21 are due to the bending vibration of the phenolic C-H bonds [48,51]. The reduction in peak intensity value at 30 wt% and 40 wt% of PAN-CF indicates increased IR absorption due to the induced molecular packing in PBT/PAN-CF composites.…”

Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) and Seaweed Composite for Soil Erosion Mitigation

“…4 According to Joseph et al, a better interfacial bonding in the application of alkaline treatment is produced. 7 The removal of hemicelluloses and the lignin redistribution has increased the fibre porosity at the same time. Thus, the surface modification on OPEFB can be used to decrease the hydrophilic ability of material due to chemical and physical modification.…”