Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene-Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Composites

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Abstract
The mechanical properties of composites consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber are reported. Three sizes of EFB at different filler loadings were compounded with a single screw compounder. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the EFB-HDPE composites increased and decreased, respectively, with increasing filler loading. Samples with smaller sized particles displayed higher MOE and MOR compared to the larger ones. Flexural toughness and tensile and impact strengths decreased as more filler was incorporated in the composite. Scanning electron microscope micrographs showed that the particles embedded in the matrix were in the form of irregular-shaped fiber bundles and the tensile failure occurred through extensive fiber bundles pull out and debonding.