mechanical properties (compression) of oil palm … properties (compression) of oil palm...

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (COMPRESSION) OF OIL PALM FIBREBOARD

ZURAIME BIN ABDUL RAHMAN @ RAMAN

This project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

(Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Systems)

Faculty of Engineering UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK

2004

For my Father and Mother And

My beloved person Mastura Mohamad

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alhamdulillah, Thanks God for all His blessing and permission, I was able to

complete this Final Year Project. First of all, I would like to thank to my supervisor

Mdm. Mahshuri Bt Yusof for her readiness and willingness to assist me throughout

completing this project. Without her support and assistance, this work would never

have been finished. Her enthusiasm in providing me with the right ingredients to

accomplish this project is greatly appreciated. Even though I went through a few

difficulties, she was patient enough in guiding me right until the end. Special thanks

to my parents for their continuous support and encouragement in seeing me through

the years.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratefulness to the lab

assistant Mr. Zaidi, Mr. Sabariman, Mr. Masri and the rest for providing the

technical support and preparing me the equipments that are needed for this project;

and also their willingness to work overtime in enabling me to collect the necessary

data. I also would like to thank to Mr. Pek Yau Kie technical assistant at Timber

Research Kuching Sarawak, for his best cooperation and guidance, when I was using

the mechanical laboratory.

Last but not least, thank you to all my supportive friends and mechanical

lecture especially for my group members Ms. Suraya and Ms. verawati.

1

ABSTRACT

Almost every materials existing on earth surrounding us originate from natural

resources. For instant, there are such as plants, soils, water, air and other materials.

The main resource requires for human activities everyday are soils. From a huge

timber to the smaller plants such as palm oils and herbs, also come out from the

similar soils. A lot of studies have been done in order to come out with something

that will give benefits to human kind. One of the studies entitled Compression in

Fibreboard from Oil Palm was done on the characteristics of pressure in natural

materials.

The purposes of this study is to determine the behavior of oil palm board under

compression and thus giving us the idea the strength that I can hold by the material

and to design a board to replace the wood and any other factors that affect. Several

experiments have been carried out in a dried and wet specimen.

According to experiment, the maximum load obtained from dried specimens is

1133.20 N, while wet specimens can support only 804.00 N.

From the results, we can conclude that fibreboard is preferred to be utilized in dry

atmosphere compared to wet condition.

ii

ABSTRAK

Hampir semua benda yang wujud di sekeliling kite adalah berasal daripada sumber

asli. Sumber asli contohnya tumbuhan, tanah, air, udara dan lain -lain lagi. Tanah

adalah sumber utama yang diperlukan untuk aktiviti manusia setiap hari. Dari tanah

terhasillah tumbuhan seperti kayu kayan, tumbuhan herba dan kelapa sawit. Banyak

kajian mengenainya dilakukan untuk memberikan kebaikan terhadap kehidupan

manusia. Salah satu kajian tersebut adalah mengenai sifat tekanan dalam bahan

semulajadi. Kajian ini dikenali sebagai Compression in Fibreboard from Oil Palm.

Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengira kekuatan tekanan yang dapat ditampung oleh

bahan tersebut dan merekabentuk papan untuk mengantikan kayu dan apakah faktor

lain memberikan kesan keatasnya. Beberapa eksperimen telah dijalankan dalam

keadaan yang sama iaitu pada keadaan normal dan pada kelembapan.

Daripada keputusan eksperimen yang diperolehi adalah dalam keadaan normal daya

yang dapat ditampung adalah 1133.20 N. Manakala dalam keadaan lembap hanya

804.00 N dapat ditampung.

Daripada keputusan ini kita mendapati bahawa dalam keadaan normal fibreboard

bagus digunakan berbanding dalam keadaan lembap.

111

CONTENTS

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

ABSTRAK

CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURE

LIST OF TABLE

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Scope and Objective

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction of Compression

2.2 Synthetic Fibre

2.3 Natural Fibre

2.4 Properties of Natural Fibre

2.5 Resin System

2.6 Method of Adhesive Process

2.6.1 Hot-Melt Adhesive

2.7 Problem in Mechanical Properties

of Natural Fibre

2.8 Compression

Pages

1

ii

iii

iv

vii X

I

5

6

7

7

9

13

15

16

18

iv

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 19

3.2 Samples for Natural Fibre of Oil Palm 19

3.2.1 The Classification of Specimen and Experiment 20

3.3 Fibreboard (Specimen) Process Procudere 21

3.4 Classification of Specimen 27

3.4.1 40% Volume Fraction of Fibre 27



3.5 Chemical Process 30

3.6 Experimental Procedure

3.6.1 Specimen Preparation 31

3.6.2 Experimental Set Up

3.6.2.1 Compression Experiment in

Dried condition 33

3.6.2.2 Compression Experiment in

Wet Condition 33

3.6.3 Testing Procedure 34

3.7 Standard, Dimensions and Configurations of Specimen 36

3.7.1 Graph of Compression in

Load (N) versus Deflection (mm) 37

3.7.2 Graph of Compression in

Stress (MN/m2) versus Strain 37

3.7.3 Equation of Compression 38

V

CHAPTER 4: EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction 40

4.2 Result of Experiments with Dried Specimens

4.2.1 First Experiment with Dried Specimens 43

4.2.2 Second Experiment with Dried Specimens 45

4.2.3 Third Experiment with Dried Specimens 47

4.3 Discussion in Dried Specimens 49

4.4 Result of Experiments with Wet Specimens

4.4.1 First Experiment with Wet Specimens 53

4.4.2 Moisture Content for 40% Volume

Fraction of Fibre 55

4.4.3 Second Experiment with Wet Specimens 56



4.4.5 Third Experiment with Wet Specimens 59



4.4.7 Discussion in Wet Specimens 62

4.5 Comparison in Dried and Wet Specimens 66

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION

5.1 Conclusion 68

5.2 Recommendation 70

REFERANCES 71

APPENDICES 73

vi

LIST OF FIGURE

FIGURE

PAGES

Figure 1.1: Fresh Oil Palm Fruit and Longitudinal Section. 2

Figure 1.2: The Waste of Oil Palm 4

Figure 2.1: Chemical Structure of Synthetic 7

Figure 2.2: Chemical Structure of Natural Fibre (Cellulose) 7

Figure 2.3: Measured Properties of Natural Fibres 10

Figure 2.4: Load-displacement Response of Natural Fibre Cellular Plates 11

Figure 2.5: Elastic Modulus for Green Hemp Natural Fibre Composite 1I

Figure 2.6: Structure of Polyester 14

Figure 2.8: Polyester Connected 14

Figure 2.9: Effect of Moisture Absorption on Flexural Strength and Modulus 17

Figure 2.10: Tensile and Compression Behavior of Highly Oriented Fibre 18

Figure 3.1: Natural Fibre Oil Palm 20

Figure 3.2: Flow Process of Fibreboard

Figure 3.3 Materials for Fibre of Oil Palm

Figure 3.4: Glue System

Figure 3.5: Mixture of Glue Process

Figure 3.6: Fibre before Hot Press

Figure 3.7: Fibre after Hot Press

Figure 3.8: Specimen in 40% Volume Fraction

Figure 3.9: Specimen in 60% Volume Fraction

21

22

23

24

25

25

26

26

vii

Figure 3.10: Specimen in 80% Volume Fraction 26

Figure 3.11: Specimen in Moisture Condition 34

Figure 3.12: Types of Compression Test 34

Figure 3.13: The ASTM D-3410 Dimension for Compression 35

Figure 3.14: Graph of Load and Deflection 37

Figure 3.15: Graph Stress versus Strain 37

Figure 3.16: Graph Stress versus Strain 39

Figure 4.1: Specimen for 40% Volume Fraction of Fibre in Dried specimen 41

Figure 4.2: Specimen for 60% Volume Fraction of Fibre in Dried specimen 41

Figure 4.3: Specimen for 80 % Volume Fraction of Fibre in Dried specimen 41

Figure 4.4: Force versus Deflection of Dried Specimen with 40%

Volume Fraction of Fibre 43

Figure 4.5: Stress versus Strain of dried specimen with 40%


Figure 4.6: Graph Force versus Deflection dried specimen with 60%


Figure 4.7: Stress versus Strain of Dried Specimen with 60%


Figure 4.8: Graph Force versus Deflection of Dried Specimen with 80%


Figure 4.9: Graph Stress versus Strain of Dried Specimen With 80%


Figure 4.10: Comparison Graph for Different Volume Fraction of

Fibre in Normal Condition 49

viii

Figure 4.11: Specimen in Distillate Water 52

Figure 4.12: Force versus Deflection of Wet Specimen with 40%


Figure 4.13: Stress versus strain of Wet Specimen with 40%


Figure 4.14: Moisture Content for 40% Volume Fraction of Fibre 55

Figure 4.15: Force versus Deflection of Wet Specimen with 60%


Figure 4.16: Stress versus Strain of Wet Specimen with 60%



Figure 4.18: Force versus Deflection of Wet Specimen With 80%


Figure 4.19: Stress versus Strain of Wet Specimen with 80%



Figure 4.21: Comparison Graph for Different Volume Fraction of

Fibre in Wet Specimens

Figure 4.22: Comparisons of Moisture Content

63

64

Figure 4.23: Comparison in Dried Specimens and Wet Specimens 66

ix

LIST OF TABLE

TABLE PAGES

Table 1.1 Properties of Glass and Natural Fibre

Table 3.1 Table of ASTM-D Standards.

Table 3.1: ASTM D-3410 for Compression

3

32

36

X

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The used of composite materials dates since centuries ago. From the reported

that composite using are from natural fibre composite. Reference such as wood,

hemp, jute, flax and coir. (Matthews And Rawlings, 1994).

Fibre can be divides into two categories, one is natural fibre and another is

synthetic fibres. Wood is more popular compares to other natural fibre composites

due to the longitudinal hollow cells of wood, there can made up of layer of spirally

wound cellulose fibres with varying spiral angle, bonded together with lignin during

the growth of the tree. (Matthews and Rawlings, 1994).

The reasons why natural fiber most interest compare to other material

composite are due to the composite possess better high electrical resistance, have

good flexibility stiffness and strength, good thermal resistance, higher resistance of

friction and low cost of manufacture. However, one disadvantage of natural fibre

composite is strength and stiffness of these natural fibers composite is low

1

comparison to the synthetic fibre composite. For example, the glass fiber composite

has higher durability and higher strength compared to wood fibre composite.

(McGraw-Hill, 1997).

The natural fibre composite many come from jut, waste wood etc. among

natural fibre, oil palm is one of the plants, which naturally consists of long natural

fibres and commonly found in Malaysia. The total area planted with oil palm in

Malaysia covers about 2.6 million hectares with capability of oil palm shell (OPS)

production of over 3.13 million tones annually. Malaysia is in the zone of warm

humid climate. At present, Malaysia has produced more than half of the world's total

output of palm oil. Thus, the total of waste from oil palm is also high. This research

concentrates on oil palm fibre because oil palm materials offer several advantages

over inorganic filler, such as its low price, biodegradability, recycle-ability, low

density and high modulus. (Stark and Berger 1997).

Figure 1.1: Fresh Oil Palm Fruit and Longitudinal Section.

During oil-palm planting and processing, a large amount of solid wastes such

as palm trunks, palm fronds, empty bunches and fruit wastes (including extracted

mesocarp fibers and palm shells), are generated. In Malaysia, which is the largest

palm oil producer in the world, about 2 million tons (dry weight) of palm shells and I

2

million tons of extracted fibers a estimated to be produced annually (Stephen Then,

2003). Normally, these wastes are used as boiler fuel or chemical feedstock for solid

(char), liquid (aqueous and tar fractions) and gaseous products. Amongst the

thermochemical conversion processes (e. g., pyrolysis, gasification and combustion),

pyrolytic process is recognized as the most promising one since it can be used either

as an independent process for fuels and other valuable chemical products or an initial

step to gasification or combustion.

Table 1.1 Properties of Glass and Natural Fibre (W. D (Rik) Brouwer,

2003)

Fibre /Properties E- Flax Hemp Jute Ramie Coir Sisal Cotton

glass

Density g/cm2 2.55 1.4 1.48 1.46 1.5 1.25 1.33 1.51

Tensile Strength 2400 800- 550- 400- 500 220 600- 400

1OE6N/m2 1500 900 800 700

E-Modulus(GPa) 73 60- 70 10- 44 6 38 12

80 30

Specific(E/Density) 29 26- 47 7-21 29 5 29 8

46

Elongation Failure 3 1.2- 1.6 1.8 2 15- 2-3 3-10

(%) 1.6 25

Moisture - 7 8 12 12-17 10 11 8-25

absorption (%)

3

Figure 1.2: The Waste of Oil Palm

4

1.2 Scope and Objective

Oil palm is one of the commercial plants consist of long natural fiber, which

is commonly found in Malaysia. This research concentration on the basic properties

of this natural fibre composite is carried out. The main objective of this research is:

1. To determine the mechanical properties especially compression behavior

of oil palm fiber composite.

In order to achieve the objective, compression test would be done on the oil-

palm fiber compression the data collected from test would be used to determine the

behavior of the composite subjected to the compression.

5

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION OF COMPRESSION

Most lightweight structures and substructures include compression members,

which may be loaded in direct compression or under a combination of flexural and

compressive load. The usual design for lightweight structures attempts to introduce

loads as pure compression and pure tension. The flexural loading of framework or

sandwich construction, for example is transformed into essentially pure compression

and tension loading of struts or facings.

The axial stiffness of compression members can only be controlled by the

cross-sectional area. The bending stiffness of axially compressed struts or panels is

of particular importance. The stiffness can be altered by geometric means for

example the use of tubes rather than rods, sandwich rather than plain plates,

corrugation or the deployment of T-stiffeners. The stresses in a member of a given

geometry can only be reduced by increasing the effective cross-section under load.

6

2.2 SYNTHETIC FIBRE

Synthetic fibres made from petroleum. These are produce through many

chemical reactions. Polymer Nylons, polyesters, acrylics, chlorofibres, polyolefins

and aramids are some of the synthetic fibres example. (Steven B. Warner, 1995).

Figure 2.1: Chemical Structure of Synthetic

(Steven B. Warner, 1995)

2.3 NATURAL FIBRE

Figure 2.2: Chemical Structure of Natural Fibre (Cellulose)

(Steven B. Warner, 1995)

7

Before synthetic fibre reinforced composite are utilized, human being lived

centuries ago, used natural composite in some application, especially in manufacture,

automotive, building structure etc. Natural fibre composite or biocomposite, have

recently gained much attention due to their low cost, environment friendliness, and

their potential to compete with glass-fiber composites. (Anchal Verma, 2003).

According to Rigoberto (2004), in manufacture sector, compared to glass

composites, the composites made from natural fibre composites have emerged as a

potential environmentally friendly and cost-effective option to synthetic fibres. One

application of natural fibre is in automotive parts. The natural fibres can reduce the

mass, cost of production and thermal resistance.

Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite have achieved their initial target

application in the aerospace industry and have transitioned to become viable material

alternative in the sporting goods, automotive, and construction industries. High

performance FRP composites made with synthetic fibres such as carbon, glass, or

aramid provide advantage of high stiffness, strength and increased chemical inertness

compared to conventional construction materials, such as wood, concrete and steel.

However natural-fibre-renforced polymer composite, or biocomposite, has emerged

as a potential environmentally friendly and cost-effective option to synthetic FRP

composite. Hemp and flax are two example of natural fiber composite. Industrial

hemp fibre and flax fibre composite were considered for biocomposite materials

since they offered the highest mechanical properties. (Rigoberto ei al, 2004).

8

In recent years, there has been a growing interest for the use of natural fibers

in composite applications, especially in the automotive industry. These types of

composites present many advantages compared to synthetic fiber reinforced plastics

such as low tool wear, low density, cheap cost, availability and biodegradability. The

most common natural fibers used in composite applications are the bast and leaf

qualities (hard fibers) with fibers such as hemp, jute, flax, kenaf or sisal. These

materials have already been embraced by European carmakers. This trend has

reached North America and the Natural Fiber Composite Industry has registered a

40-50% growth in 2000. (Anchal Verma, 2003).

2.4 PROPERTIES OF NATURAL FIBRE

Natural fibre including hemp and kenaf, are derived from annually renewable

resources, as reinforcing fibres in both thermoplastic and thermoset matrix composite

provides positive environmental benefit with respect to ultimate disposability and

raw material utilization. There has been a renewed interest in natural fibres as a

substitute for glass fibres because are less dense and cheaper than glass and may be

easily recycled. Kenaf and hemp natural plant fibres have also been used widely in

the European automotive industry (Steven B. Warner 1995). The natural fibres used

in the automotive industries comprised 75% flax, 10 % jute, 8% kenaf and 2% sisal

(Brouwer 2003).

9

According Rigoberto (2004), have studied the performed to elevate the

feasibility of using biocomposite materials for load-bearing structural components.

The specimen study demonstrates that biocomposites (natural fibre composites) can

use for load-bearing components by improving their structural efficiency through

cellular material arrangements. The materials for specimen are hemp and flax.

Industrial hemp fibres and flax fibres natural fibre were considered for the

biocomposite materials since they offered the highest mechanical properties. The

objective of specimen is compared natural fibres with E-glass fibre/UPE reinforced

composite material. This specimen can be divided to two categories is short fibre

green hemp-L/December = 60 and long fibre green hemp-L/December = 125.

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Figure 2.3: Measured Properties of Natural Fibres

(Rigoberto, 2004)

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10

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