TABLE OF CONTENT
NO PAGES
Abstract i
Abstrak ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Content v
List of Tables vii
List of Figures viii
List of Abbreviations ix
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1 1.2
Problem Statement 3
1.3 Objectives
3 1.4
Scope of Research 4
1.5 Rational of Research
5 1.6
Thesis Frame 5
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Composite Materials
6
2.1.1 Definition of Composite 6
2.1.1.2 Classifications of Composite Materials 7
2.2 Matrices
8 2.2.1 Thermoset
8
2.2.2 Thermoplastic 9
2.2.2.1 Polypropylene PP Composite 10
2.3 Additives
11 2.3.1 Coupling Agents
11 2.3.1.1 Coupling Ratio
15
v
2.4 Fiber Reinforcement
16 2.4.1 Stiff and Strong Fiber
16 2.4.2 Lignocellulose Fiber Composite
17 2.4.3 Natural Fiber
18 2.5
Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber OPEFB 21
2.5.1 Physical Properties of EFB 23
2.6 Manufacturing Processes
24 2.6.1 Hot Press
24
2.7 Mechanical and Physical Properties 25
2.7.1 Mechanical Properties Testing 25
2.7.1.1 Tensile Test 26
2.7.1.2 Flexural Test 26
2.8 Physical Properties Testing
28 2.8.1 Moisture Content
28
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
31 3.2
Material Preparation 33
3.3 Specimens Fabrication
34 3.4
Mechanical Testing 36
3.4.1 Tensile Test 36
3.4.2 Flexural Modulus Test 38
3.4.3 Shore Durometer Hardness Test 39
3.5 Physical Testing
40 3.5.1 Moisture Absorption Testing
40 3.5.2 Water Absorption
42 3.5.3 Flammability
42
4.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
45 4.2
Specimens Analysis 45
4.3 Hardness Analysis
48 4.3.1 Comparison with Previous Study
50 4.4
Flexural Analysis 52
vi
4.4.1 Flexural Strength Analysis 52
4.4.2 Flexural Modulus Analysis 54
4.4.3 Comparison with Previous Study 55
4.4.4 Flexural Properties 56
4.4.5 Sampling Analysis for Flexural Test 57
4.5 Tensile Analysis 59
4.5.1 Tensile Strength 59
4.5.2 Young Modulus Analysis 61
4.5.3 Comparison with Previous Study 62
4.5.4 Tensile properties. 63
4.5.5 Sampling Analysis for Tensile 64
4.6 Physical Testing Analysis
66 4.6.1 Water Absorption Testing Analysis
66 4.6.1.1Comparison with Previous Study
68 4.6.1.2 Properties of Water Absorption
69 4.6.2 Moisture Absorption Testing Analysis
71 4.6.3 Flammability Testing Analysis
73 4.6.4 Flammability Testing Observation
74
5.0 CONCLUSION
