The effect of oil extraction of the oil palm empty fruit bunch on the mechanical properties of polypropylene-oil palm empty fruit bunch-glass fibre hybrid composites

Hybrid composites were made using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and glass fibres (GF) as reinforcing agents in polypropylene (PP) matrix. Three types of coupling agents were incorporated in the composites, i.e. maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene (commercial name Epolene, E-43), polymethylene (polyphenyl isocyanate) (PMPPIC) and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propylmethacrylate (TPM). Comparisons were made between composites with oil-extracted (extracted with a toluene, acetone, and ethanol) and unextracted EFB. The results showed that composites with oil-extracted EFB produced significantly higher flexural and tensile strength and toughness than those without extraction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study revealed that oil extraction had resulted in the formation of continuous interfacial region between EFB and PP matrix, and an increase in the ductility of the matrix.