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This paper focusses on the effect of thermal ageing and mechanical properties of empty fruit bunch filled polyvinyl alcohol composites. A composite plate with various volume fractions from 0·5 to 3 wt-% of empty fruit bunch was fabricated. The composites were created by a casting evaporation technique. Generally, there appears to be intimate contact between empty fruit bunch fibre and polyvinyl alcohol. In composites with higher fibre content, there is a greater tendency for filler interaction to take place. The results showed that the addition of 1 wt-% of empty fruit bunch fibre increased the tensile strength and modulus of the polyvinyl alcohol/empty fruit bunch fibre composite. There was a further increase in the mechanical properties of all the samples after thermal ageing at 50°C for 6 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Twenty first century has witnessed remarkable achievements in green technology in material science through the development of biocomposites. Oil palm fiber (OPF) extracted from the empty fruit bunches is proven as a good raw material for biocomposites. The cellulose content of OPF is in the range of 43%–65% and lignin content is in the range of 13%–25%. A compilation of the morphology, chemical constituents and properties of OPF as reported by various researchers are collected and presented in this paper. The suitability of OPF in various polymeric matrices such as natural rubber, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, phenol formaldehyde, polyurethane, epoxy, polyester, etc. to form biocomposites as reported by various researchers in the recent past is compiled. The properties of these composites viz., physical, mechanical, water sorption, thermal, degradation, electrical properties, etc. are summerised. Oil palm fiber loading in some polymeric matrices improved the strength of the resulting composites whereas less strength was observed in some cases. The composites became more hydrophilic upon addition of OPF. However treatments on fiber surface improved the composite properties. Alkali treatment on OPF is preferred for improving the fiber–matrix adhesion compared to other treatments. The effect of various treatments on the properties of OPF and that of resulting composites reported by various researchers is compiled in this paper. The thermal stability, dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, etc. of the composites improved upon incorporation of OPF. The strength properties reduced upon weathering/degradation. Sisal fiber was reported as a good combination with OPF in hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jute cloth reinforced, fully biodegradable thermoplastic composites were produced by the film stacking technique, with a semicrystalline copolyester (Ecoflex) as the matrix material. The jute cloth content varied between 0, 20 and 40 wt-% in the sheets produced by hot pressing. Specimens cut from the sheets were subjected to in plane static and out of plane dynamic loading, and the related fracture and failure behaviours were studied. The jute cloth proved to be a useful reinforcement to enhance in plane mechanical properties. The J integral concept (J–R curve) was adopted to assess the fracture behaviour of the composites. Crack propagation in single edge notched tensile (SEN-T) loaded specimens was detected using position resolved acoustic emission (AE). Acoustic emission was also used to characterise the failure. Surprisingly, no beneficial effect of the jute cloth was observed in the out of plane, namely instrumented falling weight impact (IFWI) test. This could be explained by the characteristics of the jute cloth used (the large mesh size increases the tendency to disintegrate when stretched at high strain rates) and by its moderate adhesion toward the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]