Physico-mechanical Properties of PF Composite Board from EFB Fibres Using Liquefaction Technique

Phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin was successfully produced from empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibres via liquefaction approach using sulphuric acid as catalyst. The produced PF resin was used to blend with EFB fibres as filler to produce PF-EFB composite boards. The effect of different percentages of EFB fibres on the density, water absorption, impact strength, flexural strength, hardness and thermal properties of the produced PF-EFB composite boards was investigated. The density of the PF-EFB composite boards increased with the increase in EFB fibre content due to the higher density of the EFB fibres relative to the PF resin. The water absorption of the PF-EFB composite boards was also found to be increased with the increase in EFB fibre content. This could be attributed to the hygroscopic nature of the EFB fibres, which had promoted the water absorption process. The mechanical properties (flexural, impact and hardness) of the produced PF-EFB composite boards were increased linearly and reached maximum value with the addition of 20% of EFB fibres. The electron micrographs suggested good compatibility between the PF matrix and the EFB fibres, which had enhanced the mechanical properties of the PF-EFB composite boards. Our results had suggested that the EFB fibres not only could be used to produce PF resin using liquefaction method, but also could be used as reinforcing fillers to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the composite boards.