Characterization Study of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Fibers Reinforcement in Poly(Butylene) Succinate (PBS)/Starch/Glycerol Composite Sheet

Polymers

R.A. Ilyas¹  Abdan Khalina²  Tawakkal Isma²  RafiqahS. Ayu³  ChingHao Lee³  AhmadSaffian Harmaen³  Khairul Zaman⁴  Qiuyun Liu⁵ 

[1] Advanced Engineering Materials and Composites Research Centre (AEMC), Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;Engineering Faculty, UPM, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, INTROP, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;Polycomposite Sdn Bhd, Jalan Maharajalela, Hilir Perak 36000, Perak, Malaysia;The BioComposites Centre, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK;

关键词: empty fruit bunch fiber (EFB);    polybutylene succinate (PBS);    starch;    glycerol;    characterizations;    biocomposite;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym12071571

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this study, a mixture of thermoplastic polybutylene succinate (PBS), tapioca starch, glycerol and empty fruit bunch fiber was prepared by a melt compounding method using an industrial extruder. Generally, insertion of starch/glycerol has provided better strength performance, but worse thermal and water uptake to all specimens. The effect of fiber loading on mechanical, morphological, thermal and physical properties was studied in focus. Low interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix revealed a poor mechanical performance. However, higher fiber loadings have improved the strength values. This is because fibers regulate good load transfer mechanisms, as confirmed from SEM micrographs. Tensile and flexural strengths have increased 6.0% and 12.2%, respectively, for 20 wt% empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber reinforcements. There was a slightly higher mass loss for early stage thermal decomposition, whereas regardless of EFB contents, insignificant changes on decomposition temperature were recorded. A higher lignin constituent in the composite (for high natural fiber volume) resulted in a higher mass residue, which would turn into char at high temperature. This observation indirectly proves the dimensional integrity of the composite. However, as expected, with higher EFB fiber contents in the composite, higher values in both the moisture uptake and moisture loss analyses were found. The hydroxyl groups in the EFB absorbed water moisture through formation of hydrogen bonding.

【 授权许可】

Unknown