Abstract
In recent years there has been growing interest in utilising natural fibres as reinforcement in polymer composites for making low-cost construction materials. Hitherto, the use of natural fibres has been more traditional than technical. These fibres have long served many useful purposes, but the application of material technology for the utilisation of natural fibres as reinforcement in polymer matrices is comparatively recent. The attractive features of natural fibres include their low cost, low weight, high specific modulus, renewability, and biodegradability. Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs) are readily available in large quantities in palm-oil mills. It has been estimated that the amount of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) available in Malaysia per year is about 4.43 million t. Oil palm fibre (OPF) can be obtained directly from the natural resource, is cheap, and also has the advantages of renewability, low cost, and easy availability. EFB fibre can be used for wood plastic, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), erosion control, and landscaping. This paper presents a literature review of the development and mechanical properties of oil palm fibre reinforced polymer composites. The mechanical properties of OPF composites are also discussed, together with their chemical, thermal, and physical properties as determined by several researchers. Both thermosetting and thermoplastic resins are used as matrices in OPF composites.
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