Effect of Chemical Treatment on Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fiber on Water Absorption and Tensile Properties of OPEFB Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Natural fibers have proved to be an excellent reinforcement material for various polymers. In this study, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber was incorporated in epoxy and an investigation on water absorption and tensile characteristics has been carried out. A fiber surface modification utilizing alkaline treatment with 2% sodium hydroxide solution was used in order to increase the fiber matrix bond in the composite. The investigation was carried out for 0.5% and 1% short and random fiber loading with fiber length range between 3mm to 5mm and diameter of 300μm. Result showed that surface modifications upon treatment changed the strength on the fiber matrix bond and the composites water absorption behavior. Alkaline treatment reduced overall water uptake and increased the tensile strength of the composites. However, increased in fiber loadings has resulted in increased amount of water absorbed and reduced the overall tensile strength.