Oil palm empty fruit bunch reinforced low density polyethylene composites: Effect of fiber-matrix compatibility on mechanical behavior

Abstract

The mechanisms focused on effective and sustainable management of oil palm empty fruit bunch wastes are still unclear. Therefore, the aim of the doctoral study is the use of these residues in composites development with different polymeric matrices. In the present work, the effect of three compatibilizers on tensile properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch reinforced polyethylene composites was evaluated. The values of the tensile properties showed similar behavior between composites with and without commercial compatibilizer. Likewise, it was observed that fiber modifications slightly increase the elastic modulus and tensile strength; however, these modifications had a negative effect on the elongation at break.