UTILIZATION OF SHORT OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH FIBER (OPEFB) AS A REINFORCEMENT IN PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESINS - STUDIES ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

The brittle thermosetting plastic, phenol-formaldehyde, was reinforced with oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber. Composites were prepared from resol type phenol-formaldehyde resin. Hand lay up technique followed b y compression molding was used for composite preparation. Fiber length s of 20, 30, 40 and 50 mm were used for composite fabrication. The eff ect of fiber length and fiber loading on the mechanical properties was studied. Tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites we re analyzed. The experimental results were compared with the theoretic al predictions. Scanning electron micrographs of the fracture surfaces were taken to analyze the fiber-matrix adhesion, fiber pull-out and f iber surface topography. Finally, the properties of the composites wer e compared to those of other natural fiber filled PF composites.