Effects of Chemical Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) with Urea Formaldehyde (UF) Resin Particleboardtype

Abstract

Oil palm plant by-product such empty fruit bunches (EFB) are not effectively utilized and in many instances had caused severe pollution problems. It has a potential to replace the wood in the production of particleboard in furniture industry. This research aim is to investigate the effects of the chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of the oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) with urea formaldehyde (UF) resin particleboard through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), flexural test – three point bending test and the water absorption test. A single layered oil palm EFB/UF particleboard with the fibres treated with NaOH of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% concentrations were made. Testing procedure was done in accordance with the American Standard Testing Materials - ASTM 1037 standard for testing wood based fibre and particle panel materials. The SEM images of 1.0% NaOH treated fibre shows a rougher surface indicating that more silica bodies are detached from the EFB surface which improves the mechanical interlocking ability of the fiber. Flexural properties the treated EFB/UF particleboard shows an improved quality compared to the untreated board. There is significant increase of 82% and 81% in the flexural strength and flexural modulus respectively of the 1.0% NaOH treated board from 0.5% NaOH treatment. As for the water absorption rate, the treated particle board shows a decrease in water absorption rate after the treatment.