Effect of silane treatment on the impact strength properties of oil palm (EFB) fiber- reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

Natural fibers are abundantly available and potentially valuable biomass that is under-exploited. Regardless of many advantages, one shortcoming of use of natural fiber is the deformation after being formed into composite structure which is caused essentially by poor adhesion at the interface with the polymer matrix. In this study, the effect of silane treatment on the impact strength properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber - reinforced polyester composites was evaluated. The oil palm EFB fibers were used in two distinct tangled mass; ‘as natural’-untreated and treated forms. Composites of EFB fiber wastes up to 70% by weight in polyester matrix were fabricated by hand lay-up technique and analyzed. As expected, the results show that the composites of oil palm EFB fiber treated with phenylsilane exhibited improved impact strength properties from 10% fiber content to 60% fiber content after which problems of poor wettability set-in. The result s permitted the comparison of the impact strength performance of the ‘as natural’ and surface-treated oil palm EFB fiber composites, for which an indication is made that oil palm EFB fiber represent a promising alternative to wood fillers and glass fiber in the production of composites for medium impact strength application in engineering.