OIL PALM FIBERS - MORPHOLOGY, CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION, SURFACE MODIFICATION, AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

Oil palm fiber is an important lignocellulosic raw material for the pr eparation of cost-effective and environment-friendly composite materia ls. The morphology and properties of these fibers have been analyzed. The properties of two important types of fibers, the oil palm empty fr uit bunch fiber and the oil palm mesocarp fiber (fruit fiber) have bee n described. The surface topology of the fibers has been studied by sc anning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis were used to determine the thermal stability of the fibers. F iber surface modifications by alkali treatment, acetylation, and silan e treatment were tried. The modified surfaces were characterized by in frared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical con stituents of the fibers were estimated according to ASTM standards. Me chanical performance of the fibers was also investigated. Microfibrill ar angle of the fibers was theoretically predicted. The theoretical st rength of the fibers was also calculated and compared with the experim ental results. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.