Comparison of the morphological and mechanical properties of oil Palm EFB fibres and kenaf fibres in nonwoven reinforced composites

The empty fruit bunch (EFB) and kenaf polypropylene (PP) nonwoven composites in this study were prepared via needle punching nonwoven process followed by compression moulding. As compare to the fine kenaf fibre, the thick and rough fibre such as EFB is uncommon in the nonwoven process although it could be a cheap alternative material. To establish EFB as a new raw material in needle punching nonwoven composite, the effect of type of fibre, fibre content, fabric direction and fabric weight on mechanical properties of polypropylene nonwoven preform and composite was studied. Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) has been used to analyse the effects of the parameter to the preform and composite properties. The punching density, fabric weight and natural fibre content were set at 0, 150 and 300 punches/cm2; 300, 400 and 700 g/m2; 40, 50 and 60%, respectively. This study showed that type of fibre has significant influence on the tensile strength of the nonwoven preform especially at 60% fibre content as compare to the nonwoven composite. The fibre content and fabric direction were also the main factors affecting the tensile strength and the tensile elongation of the nonwoven preform. It was proven that EFB has great potential applications as nonwoven fabric and alternative reinforcement material in nonwoven composites.