Effect of Palm Tree Fiber Orientation on Electrical Properties of Palm Tree Fiber-reinforced Polyester Composites

The dynamic dielectrical analysis of short palm tree lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polyester composites was carried out with special reference to the effect of fiber orientation, frequency, and temperature. Measurements were performed in the temperature range 40-200 degrees C and in the frequency range 1-100 kHz. Three relaxations processes were identified, namely the orientation polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in palm fiber, the relaxation process associated with conductivity occurring as a result of the carriers charges diffusion noted for high temperature above glass transition and low frequencies, and the interfacial or Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars relaxation that is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the palm fibers/polyester interfaces. The orientation of the fiber can strongly influence the dielectrical properties and interfacial polarization processes in composites.