Dynamic mechanical properties of oil palm fiber/phenol formaldehyde and oil palm fiber/glass hybrid phenol formaldehyde composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of oil palm fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde (PF) composites and oil palm/glass hybrid fiber reinforced PF composites were investigated as a function of fiber content and hybrid fiber ratio. The dynamic modulus of the neat PF sample decreases with decrease in frequency. Glass transition attributed with the a relaxation of the neat PF sample was observed around 140 degrees C. Tan delta values and storage modulus show great enhancement upon fiber addition. The value increases with increase in fiber content. The loss modulus shows a reverse trend with increase in fiber loading. Incorporation of oil palm fiber shifts the glass transition towards lower temperature value. The glass transition temperature of the hybrid composites is lower than that of the unhybridized composites. The highest value of mechanical damping is observed in hybrid composites. Storage modulus of the hybrid composites is lower than unhybridized oil palm fiber/PF composite. A similar trend is observed for loss modulus. Activation energies for the relaxation processes in different composites were calculated. Activation energy is increased upon fibrous reinforcement. Complex modulus variations and phase behavior of the composites were studied from ColeCole plots. Finally, master curves for the viscoelastic properties of the composites were constructed on the basis of time-temperature superposition principle. (c) 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers.