Effect of Different Fibre Treatment of Oil Palm Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composite

The use of Oil Palm Fibre (OPF) from Empty Fruit Bunches as a reinforcement of a composite has grown in interest as it has the potential to yield up to 73% of the fibre hence it is preferable in terms of availability and cost. This article focuses on the effect of alkali treatment by using Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) towards the tensile properties and thermal stability of OPF Reinforced Polyester Composite. Alkali treatment of the fibre is aimed to improve the adhesion between OPF and Polyester matrix and also to increase the tensile strength of the composite. NaOH solutions of 2%, 5%, and 10% were being experimented to evaluate the changes in tensile properties and thermal stability. The tensile properties obtained by testing the composite samples with Instron Universal Testing Machine and the thermal stability of the composite was determined by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis. It was found that different percentage of NaOH solution resulted in different tensile properties. The highest tensile properties and thermal stability achieved by soaking the OPF in 2% of NaOH solution for 2 hours, while 10% of NaOH solution gave the lowest tensile properties of the composite.