Title:
Properties of Engineered Polyurethanes from Oil Palm Feedstocks and Biomass Residues
Author(s):
Badri, K. H., Mat Amin, K.A., Abdullah, I., Ahmad, S.H.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Polyurethane (PU) composites were prepared utilizing palm kernel oil-based (PKO) polyurethane as the matrix and oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (EFB) as the filler. The bio-composites were prepared both by molding for 20 minutes at ambient condition and hot-pressing at 35 °C for 9 minute with a load pressure of 760 MPa. The former was carried out by initially determining type of surface modification of EFB required. Treatment with 5% sodium hydroxide, silane and isocyanate was carried out with 5% loading percentage into the PU matrix and labeled as ATPU, STPU and MPU respectively. The untreated EFB was used as control (UTPU). STPU has the highest compressive strength (410 kPa) followed by ATPU (399 kPa), unfilled PU (327 kPa), UTPU (293 kPa) and MPU (286 kPa). Minor shrinkage and expansion were observed on STPU (+0.23 % at +70 °C; -0.25% at -15 °C) and UTPU (+0.71% at +70 °C and -0.1% at -15 °C). The loading percentage of EFB into the PU was then studied at varying ratio of 25:75, 30:70 and 35:65. The hot-pressed bio -composites were then analysed. FTIR spectroscopy analysis was carried out to identify changes in chemical bonding. Mechanical characterizations carried out were shore impact and flexural tests and dynamic mechanical analysis. PU-EFB with 35:65 blending ratio of PU matrix to EFB fibers produced impact strength of 4018 J/m2, flexural strength and modulus of 10.6 MPa and 1404 MPa respectively. The SEM micrographs of these bio-composites produced support data for the mechanical properties. Interfacial adhesion between PU as the matrix and EFB played a major role in the mechanical strength and dimnsional stability of the biocomposites. The production of oil palm fiberboard via a new innovative method has been successfully developed utilizing oil palm fiber from oil palm residues (empty fruit bunches) and feedstock (palm kernel oil). This ecofriendly technology is not only reducing environmental pollution when disposing off the bulk of biomass from the oil palm industry, it also enables the production of value-added products such as mulching mats, floor and wall tiles, smart paper, cushion, mattress and fiber boards.
Keywords:
biobased products, biomass, biopolymers, lignocellulose, palm oil
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass residues and by-products
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP1.2.4
Pages:
416 - 423
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.2.4
Price:
FREE
