Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.

7, 1523-1530

DOI 10.1007/s12221-014-1523-y

Characterization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Glass Fibre Reinforced
Recycled Polypropylene Hybrid Composites
M. Rivai, A. Gupta, M. R. Islam*, and M. D. H. Beg
Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering, University Malaysia Pahang, Gambang 26300,
Kuantan, Malaysia
(Received December 2, 2013; Revised February 2, 2014; Accepted February 19, 2014)
Abstract: The effects of hybridization of glass fibre on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and recycled polypropylene-based
composites are described in this paper. The compounding process involved extrusion followed by injection moulding
technique to prepare the samples for characterizations. Fibre loading were considered as 40 % of the total weight of the
blends and EFB:glass fibre ratio was maintained as 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 and 90:10. Two types of coupling agents of maleic
anhydride-grafted polypropylene such as polybond-3200 and fusabond P-613 of different molecular weight and maleic
anhydride level were used to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix. Composites were
characterized by density, melt flow index, tensile, Izod impact and flexural testing. Morphological images of the fractured
surfaces of the composites were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Samples were also characterized
by thermal tests such as thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate the thermal and
crystalline properties, respectively. Optimization of hybridization of the fibres and effect of coupling agents were evaluated in
terms of various properties of the samples. The composite prepared with EFB:glass fibre ratio of 70:30 showed better
reinforcing properties than that of others.
Keywords: Oil palm empty fruit bunch, Glass fibre, Hybrid composites, Recycled polypropylene, Mechanical properties

in the composites preparation. For example, they contain

high percentages of cellulosic fibres and bear low density.
Composites incorporated with natural fibres show high
specific properties and hence can be used as potential
reinforcing agent. A number of natural fibres such as flax,
sisal, jute, kenaf, silk, etc. have been found utilized as
reinforcing agent for various types of thermoplastics [7-10].
Demerits were also found to be involved utilizing natural
fibres in the polymeric materials such as poor compatibility
and weak interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix, high
moisture absorption, easily attacked by microbes and fungi,
UV susceptible for degradation, etc. In that case, coupling
agent such as maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP)
has been used effectively to improve the interfacial adhesion
and compatibility between fibres and matrix through mechanical
interlocking [11,12]. Besides, it can reduce the total fibre
surface free energy; improve fibre dispersion and orientation,
and enhance the polymer matrix impregnation while used in
the composites [11]. The unsaturation part, maleic anhydride, in
the MAPP is usually attached with fibre while the PP part of
the coupling agent attached with the polymer matrix [13,14].
The possible mechanism is depicted in Scheme 1.

Introduction
Fibre reinforcements in polymer matrices are found to be
fruitful to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of
the resulted composites [1-3]. For example, synthetic fibres
such as glass, carbon, aramid, etc. have been used as
reinforcing agent to polymer matrices for the betterment of
the properties of the composites [4-6]. The properties of
these materials are very promising in terms of thermal,
mechanical, structural and morphological point of views.
Previous works based on aramid and glass fibre reinforced
polymer composites showed higher mechanical properties
compared to that of virgin polymer [7,8]. Moreover, water
absorption was markedly reduced for the case of aramid
fibre-based flax-epoxy hybrid composites [7]. Although
synthetic fibres serve tremendous effects on composites
properties, but few issues have been raised, which implied
negative impacts in the scientific discussions. For example,
the density of the synthetic fibre is higher and the prepared
composites possess high density. Especially those materials,
which are prepared from synthetic based fibre to be used as
vehicle body parts, need to be light-weighted for less fuel
consumption. In addition, the manufacturing cost of synthetic
fibres involves high utilization of heat energy, which ultimately
makes these materials costly. Furthermore, synthetic fibres
are sometime considered as non-environment friendly materials.
On the other hand, recent investigations on natural fibres
have revealed some attractive properties, which can mitigate
the drawbacks raised from the utilization of synthetic fibres

Scheme 1. Interactions of glass fibre, EFB and polypropylene in

presence of MAPP.

*Corresponding author: remanraju@yahoo.com

1523

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Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

Hybrid composites are made from more than two

materials. For example, materials prepared from two fibres
with matrix are termed as hybrid composites. The benefit of
utilizing of synthetic and natural fibres in the polymeric
composite materials can be attained simultaneously from the
hybrid composites. This usually reduces the utilization of
synthetic fibres and manufacturing cost of the materials, as
well, without compromising the mechanical properties.
Among the natural fibres, oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is
abundantly available in Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, India,
etc. This huge empty fruit bunches are generated every year
in the separation of oil palm seeds from the fruit bunches.
The best utilization of these bio-based materials can reduce
the volumetric occupancy and add value to some products.
Our current work aimed to produce materials from EFB and
glass fibre with recycled polypropylene (RPP) in the presence
of two types of coupling agents which possess different
molecular weights and maleic anhydride levels. The molecular
weights and maleic anhydride (graft %) levels of the coupling
agents have important effects on the interfacial adhesion and
mechanical properties of the composites [15,16]. Thus to
find the simultaneous effect of molecular weight and maleic
anhydride level of the coupling agents on the properties of
the composites are discussed in this work. Moreover,
recycled based materials are sometime discouraging due to
cost and quality concern. Thus to add value on the product
utilizing recycled based materials can reduce the plastic
consumption in one hand and mitigate the disposal problem
on the other. However, the major focus of this study was to
find out the hybridization effects of EFB and glass fibre for
RPP in the presence of two types of MAPP, which are so far
not reported yet in the scientific articles.

Experimental
Materials
RPP (density=0.91 g/cm3, MFI=5.58 g/10 min) and glass
fibres (density=2.56 g/cm3) were purchased from a local
company, Alva Suplayer Sdn Bhd, Kuantan, Malaysia. EFB
was kindly supplied by Lepar hilir palm oil, Pahang, Malaysia.
Polybond 3200 of density 0.91 g/cm3, molecular weight 42,000,
maleic anhydride level 1.0 %, MFI=115 g/10 min was purchased
from Eastman polymer, polypropylene (PETRONAS Malaysia)
and fusabond P 613 of density=0.903 kg/m3, molecular weight
95,000, maleic anhydride level 0.5 % and MFI=120 g/10 min,
from DuPont.
Fibre Processing
The EFB fibres were washed with normal water for 2 h to
remove the mud and other surface impurities, and then dried
in sunlight for 2 days. After that, the fibres were cut using
crusher machine (TST plastic crusher SC7514 series SCB
3140/14 Hp) and was passed through a sieve to obtain a
uniform size and length (2 to 4 mm). The diameters of the

M. Rivai et al.
Table 1. Compounding formulations and name tags of different
composites
Name tag

RPP
(wt%)

EFB
(wt%)

Glass fibre
(wt%)

RPP
NFC1
NFC2
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5

100
60
60
60
60
60
60
60

40
40
12
20
28
36
28

28
20
12
4
12

Polybond Fusabond
3200
P613
(wt%)
(wt%)
5
5
5
5
5
2.5
2.5

fibres were found 0.06 to 0.08 mm, thus the calculated

aspect ratio (length/diameter) of the fibres ranges from 33 to
50. The supplied long-length mat-like glass fibres were cut
into around 2-4 mm and heated at 450 oC for 2 h to remove
the sizing agents (a mixture of chemicals usually used to
coat the fibres for different purpose of uses). The average
diameters of glass fibres were 0.04 to 0.06 and the calculated
aspect ratio was in between 50 to 66.
Composite Preparation
The shredded EFB fibres were dried at 80 oC in an oven
for overnight and then compounded with other ingredients
by means of a twin-screw extruder (Prism Eurolab 16)
followed by injection moulding machine (NESSEI, modelPNX60) at 190 oC. Fibre content was considered 40 % (of
the total blends) to prepare various types of test specimens.
RPP based composites were prepared individually with
EFB, EFB-glass fibre, EFB-glass fibre-polybond and EFBglass fibre-polybond-fusabond. The compounding formulations
of various types of composites and their name tags are
presented in Table 1.
Characterization
Density
A gas pycnometer (model-micrometrics, AccuPyc II
1340) was used to determine the density of the composites.
The equipment was operated by inert helium gas. Five
replicates of analysis were considered for each category of
sample, and an average value was taken for data analysis.
Melt Flow Index
Melt flow index (MFI) of each sample was determined
using Dynisco melt flow indexer (LMI 4000 series) according
to ASTM D1238 (heating temperature 230 oC, applied load
2.16 kg). An average of 3 runs was taken for each sample.
Tensile Test
The tensile tests were conducted according to ASTM
D638-03: standard test method. The specimens were then
tested using SHIMADZU (model AG-1) Universal testing

EFB-GF-RPP Hybrid Composites

Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

machine with load cell of 5 kN, using crosshead speed of

5 mm/min and with a gauge length of 25 mm. Test was
performed until tensile failure occurred. Five specimens
were tested for each batch and their average was taken for
analysis.
Flexural Test
The flexural test was conducted according to ASTM
D790-97 method by using Universal testing machine (modelSHIMADZU, AG-1) with static load cell of 1 kN. The
support was set at 20 mm, and the crosshead speed was fixed
at 10 mm/min. Five specimens were tested, and the average
value was taken for data analysis.
Izod Impact Test
The Izod impact test was performed according to ASTM
D256 with the help of Universal pendulum impact system
(model: Ray-Ran, UK) at 3.5 m/s swing speed with a hammer
of load 0.163 kg. Ray-Ran motorized notching cutter was
used to notch the specimen. The notch depth was fixed at
20.02 mm with angle of 45 o. Five specimens were tested,
and an average of them was taken for further analysis.
Thermogravimetric Analysis
Thermogravimetric measurements were carried out using
a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) of model: TA instrument,
TGA Q500. Each sample was weighted nearly 5 mg and
heated in a temperature range of 25-600 oC with a heating
rate of 20 oC/min. TGA analyses were conducted in a platinum
crucible under nitrogen atmosphere at a flow rate of 40 ml/
min to ensure the inert atmosphere.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
A TA instrument, Q-1000, was used to perform differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the samples in an aluminium
pan with a heating rate of 10 oC/min. A heat/cool/heat method
was applied in a temperature range of 25-220 oC. The
percentage of crystallinity (dsc) was obtained using the following
equation (1):
H
dsc = ---------------- 100%
Hm W

(1)

where, H is the heat of fusion of sample, Hm represents

the heat of fusion for 100 % crystalline PP and W is the mass
fraction of the matrix.
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy
Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM)
(model-JEOL, JSM-7800F) was used to observe the surface
images of the fracture samples. Air dried samples were fixed
to a metal-base specimen holder using double-sided sticky
carbon tape, and then coated with gold using a vacuum
sputter-coater to make them conductive prior to observation.
Water Uptake
Tensile specimens were immersed in distilled water at
various temperatures (25, 60 and 80 oC) for 120 days. Water
uptake was measured by the weight-gain due to water absorption
by the samples and recorded for the analysis. The percentage
of water uptake, WU (%) was calculated from the following

1525

equation (2):
wf wi
- 100
WU( % ) = -------------wi

(2)

Where, wi and wf are the initial and final weight of the

sample before immersing in water and after taking out of
water, respectively.

Results and Discussion

Density
The density of the composites are presented in Table 2.
Fibre incorporation increased the density of all the
composites. This is due to higher density of the fibres than
the polymer matrix. NFC1, NFC2, HC1, HC2, HC3, HC4
and HC5 composite showed density of 1.03, 1.035, 1.12,
1.10, 1.07, 1.045 and 1.065 g/cm3, respectively. The density of
the composites were also found to be increased with glass
fibre content. Therefore, the maximum density was obtained
for the composite prepared with EFB and glass fibre ratio at
10:90. Using coupling agent increased the density of the
composites, which is indicating improved interfacial bonding
between fibres and matrix. The interfacial bonding was
improved by building up hydrogen bonding at the interface
between the hydroxyl group of the fibres and the unsaturated
part of MAPP diffused polymer matrix [17]. Thus due to
strong interfacial adhesion, fibres were incorporated into the
matrix more compactly in presence of coupling agents which
results in higher densities. The theoretical and experimental
densities were measured by following a method established
by Agarwal and Broutman (equation (3)) [18].
1
dtc = ---------------------------w1 w2 w3
------ + ------ + -----d1 d 2 d 3

(3)

where, dtc is the theoretical density of the composites, w1, w2

and w3, etc. are the weight fraction of the ingredients of the
composites and d1, d2 and d3, etc. are the experimental
densities of the same. Using the aforementioned equation,
the theoretical densities of NFC1, NFC2, HC1, HC2, HC3,
Table 2. Density, volume fraction of void, MFI, and IS of the
composites
Samples
RPP
NFC1
NFC2
HC1
HC2
HC3
HC4
HC5

Density (g/cm3)
dec
dtc
0.91
1.03
1.08
1.035
1.075
1.12
1.16
1.10
1.14
1.07
1.11
1.045
1.09
1.065
1.10

V
(%)

MFI
(g/10 min)

IS
(J/m2)

0.0462
0.0279
0.0344
0.0350
0.0360
0.0412
0.0318

5.58
3.12
2.30
1.81
1.92
1.97
2.13
1.80

26.25
12.34
14.67
16.54
13.81
12.73
11.20
15.88

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Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

M. Rivai et al.

HC4 and HC5 were found to be 1.08, 1.075, 1.16, 1.14, 1.11,
1.09 and 1.10 g/cm3, respectively. With these theoretical
densities, the volume fraction of void in the composites can
be measured by the following equation.
dtc dec
Vv = ---------------dtc

(4)

where, V is the volume fraction of void and dec is the

experimental density of the composites. The volume fractions
of voids of NFC1, NFC2, HC1, HC2, HC3, HC4 and HC5
were calculated as 0.0462, 0.0279, 0.0344, 0.0350, 0.0360,
0.0412 and 0.0318 %, respectively. These values indicate
that the interfacial bonding was as an order of NFC2>
HC5>HC1>HC2>HC3>HC4>NFC1. Using of two types of
coupling agents decreased the void content more by improving
the interfacial adhesion. Except the effect of higher molecular
weight of fusabond, the additional maleic anhydride grafting
percentages strengthen and enhance the adhesion between
fibres and the polymer matrix.
Melt-flow Index
The melt flow index of various composites are presented
in Table 2. The melt flow index of RPP was found to be
5.58 g/10 min. Incorporation of EFB fibres and coupling
agent decreased the melt flow index of the composites. The
decreased MFI indicates better adhesion between fibre and
matrix in the presence of coupling agent, polybond. The MFI
was found to be increasing due to increment of EFB fibre
contents in the hybrid composites. Among the hybrid
composites, HC1 showed a MFI of 1.81 g/10 min, whereas,
HC4 exhibited the MFI of 2.13 g/10 min. Fusabond, as a
second coupling agent, decreased the MFI from 1.97 to
1.80 g/10 min, which is indicating better adhesion for HC5
compared to HC3. This is may be due to the extra maleic
anhydride grafting percentages and the higher molecular
weights of the coupling agent, as the flow partially depends on
the molecular weight and interfacial adhesion between fibres
and polymer matrix. Besides, the flow behaviour also depends
on the frictions among the ingredients and between the
components and the wall of the flow-path. However, the
process ability found to be getting worse at low MFI due to
incorporation of fibre and coupling agent.
Tensile Properties
The tensile strength (TS) and tensile modulus (E) of
polymer matrix and composites are illustrated in Figure 1. The
TS and E of RPP was found to be 25.4 and 1072 MPa,
whereas composite incorporated with EFB fibre showed 27.3
and 1285 MPa, respectively. It is meaning that incorporation of
fibre increases the TS and E of the composites. Using
polybond as a coupling agent improved the TS and E by
increasing the interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix
from 27.3 to 28 MPa and 1285 to 1320 MPa, respectively.
The increment of TS is probably due to mechanical interloacking

Figure 1. Tensile strength (TS) and tensile modulus (E) of

composites without and with coupling agent at different ratios of
EFB and glass fibre.

of the fibres through polymer matrix, improved fibre dispersion

and orientation and reduction of fibre total surface free
energy [11]. A possible interaction mechanism among the
fibres, RPP and coupling agent, as depicted in Scheme 1 is
thought to be a reason for increased interfacial adhesions.
Improvement of them was also found due to hybridization
with glass fibre at a ratio to EFB as 70:30, and the value for
TS and E were found to be 32.7 and 1388 MPa, respectively.
The similar behaviour was observed in previous works based
on polypropylene composites [19,20]. The values found to
be decreasing with the decreasing loading of glass fibre. The
lowest value of hybrid composites (HCs) was found to be
28.2 and 1323 MPa. At the ratio of 30:70=glass fibre:EFB,
the value was 28.5 and 1331 MPa, which were further improved
by the addition of second coupling agent, fusabond and the
values raised to 30.5 and 1375 MPa, respectively. This is may
be due to using the second coupling agent, which enhanced
the interfacial adhesion made by polybond, while used alone,
for the same EFB and glass fibre ratio (HC3 and HC5). The
adequate amount of molecular weight of coupling agent
promotes the diffusion into the polymer matrix for better
entanglement of the fibres, while the sufficient quantity of
maleic anhydride grafting percentage forms strong interfacial
adhesion between hydroxyl groups of fibre and MA groups
[15,21].
Flexural Properties
The flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) of
the polymer matrix and the composites are shown in Figure
2. The FS and FM of the polymer matrix were found to be
14.3 and 133 MPa, respectively. The same trend of data as
like as tensile testing was observed for the case of flexural
properties. Incorporation of EFB increased the FS and FM to
22.2 and 447 MPa, respectively, whereas using polybond
further improved the properties to 23.3 and 534 MPa,
accordingly. Incorporation of natural fibre drastically changed

EFB-GF-RPP Hybrid Composites

Figure 2. Flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) of

composites without and with coupling agent at different ratios of
EFB and glass fibre.

the flexural properties of the composites due to increased

stiffness. Hybridization of glass fibre at ratio of 70:30 to
EFB showed improved FS and FM value of 27.4 and 834 MPa,
respectively. Previous reports also showed improvement of
the mechanical properties of the composites due to incorporation
of glass fibre [20,22]. Likewise tensile properties, the values
found to be decreased with the decreasing loading of glass fibre.
Using second coupling agent, fusabond, enhanced the FS and
FM due to improved interfacial bonding between fibre and
matrix from 25.4 to 27.9 and 724 to 935 MPa, respectively. The
interfacial adhesion, gained by the polybond (while used alone)
may be boost up further by the addition of extra maleic
anhydride grafting percentage and the higher molecular
weight, contributed by fusabond.

Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

1527

Izod Impact Properties

The Izod impact strength (IS) of the polymer matrix and
the composites are listed in Table 2. The IS of the polymer
matrix was found to be 26.25 J/m2, whereas incorporation of
EFB decreased the IS to 12.34 J/m2. Addition of polybond
increased the IS from 12.34 to 14.67 J/m2 by improving the
interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix, which
probably resist the sudden strike of the hammer and absorb
more energy to be broken. Further the property was improved
due to hybridization by stronger glass fibre at a ratio to EFB
of 70:30 and the IS was found to be 16.54 J/m2. This was the
maximum IS among the values shown by various composites
and decreasing the loading of glass fibre decreased the value
gradually. Further, addition of second coupling agent, fusabond,
increased the IS from 12.73 to 15.88 due to improvement in
interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix in the presence
of polybond. This is may be due to the better adhesion
through extra maleic anhydride grafting percentage, while
higher molecular weight of fusabond enhanced the toughness
of the materials, which results in higher impact energy or
strike force to break the sample.
Morphological Properties
The surface morphologies of the fractured samples of
tensile specimen of RPP and composites are presented in
Figure 3. The surface of the composite, prepared with EFB
fibre without coupling agent (Figure 3(b)), showed fibre
pull-out with long length of the fibre, which is indicating
poor interfacial bonding with the polymer matrix. On the
other hand, polybond incorporated composite showed
enhanced bonding, where short length pull-out and breakdown of fibre was apparent (Figure 3(c)). In Figure 3(d), the
distribution of glass fibre throughout the composites along

Figure 3. FE-SEM images of the fractured surfaces of various composites; (a) RPP, (b) NFC, (c) NFC1, (d) HC3 and (e) HC5.

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Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

Figure 4. TGA curves shows weight (%) vs. temperature (oC) of

various composites.

Figure 5. TGA curve shows deriv. weight (%/oC) vs. temperature

of various composites.

with EFB fibre is illustrated. The significant amount of fibre

pull-out was also evident in the composite HC3 (Figure
3(d)), but due to addition of second coupling agent, the
adhesion was found to be improved in the surface of
composite HC5 by observing less amount of pull-out of fibre
(Figure 3(e)).
Thermal Properties
The thermogravimetric analyses are represented in Figure
4 and 5. It was found that RPP degrade at one stage, whereas
composites at two stages. The degradation at first stage is
probably due to degradation of the components in EFB
fibres, but hybridization with glass fibre enhanced the
degradation stability, which are apparent in Figure 5.
Incorporation of natural fibre prolonged the degradation
profile at the second stage at relatively higher temperature
(439 oC) than the polymer matrix, but the first stage of

M. Rivai et al.

Figure 6. DSC thermograms of various composites showing 1st

heating profiles.

Figure 7. DSC thermograms of various composites showing

cooling propfiles.

degradation started earlier than RPP (at temperature 355 oC)

(Figure 4). The onset degradation temperatures of the
composites incorporated with coupling agent were found to
be a bit higher than that of without coupling agent. The onset
temperature (305 oC) for the HCs was found to be higher
than that of EFB based composites (278 oC). The second
coupling agent, fusabond, enhanced the degradation stability
a little bit than that of without fusabond. The additional
maleic anhydride grafting level and higher molecular weight
of the fusabond may increase the interfacial adhesion and
probably cause a reason for higher thermal stability of the
composites. Significant differences were observed for residues
after completion of the degradation. EFB fibre based
composites showed residue percentages near about 14 to
15 %, whereas, hybrid composites showed that of values to
be 20 to 22 %. Thus hybridization enhanced the thermal

EFB-GF-RPP Hybrid Composites

Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

1529

Table 3. Melting point, residue, crystallization temperature, enthalpy and crystallinity (%) of the composites
Sample
RPP
NFC1
NFC2
HC3
HC5

Tmax1
(oC)
426
342
352
362
373

Tmax2
(oC)
474
476
407
418

Residue
(wt%)
7.5
15
14
22
20

Tm1
(oC)
125
125
126
126
126

stability at initial stage, whereas, EFB fibre prolonged the

degradation period of the composites. The Tmax1 of RPP,
NFC, NFC1, HC3 and HC5 were found to be 426, 342, 352,
407 and 418, respectively, and Tmax2 for NFC and NFC were
found to be 474 and 476, respectively (Table 3).
The DSC thermograms show the first heating and cooling
cycles of the heat/cool/heat curves of the polymer matrix
and the composites in Figure 6 and 7, respectively. In Figure
6, two endothermic peaks were observed, indicating the
melting temperature Tm1=125 oC and Tm2=161 oC) for PP
copolymer and isotactic PP, respectively. The Tm1 for all the
composites were found to be almost same, but incorporation
of fibre and using fusabond, as a second coupling agent in
the hybrid composites, increased the Tm2 by one degree
Celsius each (Table 3). The crystallization temperatures for
RPP and composites are presented in Table 3. The crystallization
temperatures (Tc1=118-119 oC, Tc2=126-128 oC) were found
to be almost same for all the samples. The melting enthalpies
presented in Table 3 were used to calculate the crystallinity
for isotactic PP, considering 209 J/g as melting enthalpy for
100 % crystalline PP [23]. It was found that the crystallinity
percentage increased from 22.3 to 22.6 due to incorporation
of EFB fibre, whereas polybond enhanced this percentage
from 22.6 to 23.0. Hybridization with glass fibre and using
fusabond also found to be similar effect on the crystallinity.
The crystallinity percentage was found to be increased from
23.0 to 24.8 due to hybridization and from 24.7 to 24.8 due
to using fusabond. The increment in crystallinity may be
attributed due to strong interaction between fibres and
matrix, which provides transcrystallinity effect [24].
Water Uptake Properties
Figure 8 represents the water uptake percentages of various
composites at various temperatures. The hydrophobic polymer
matrix, RPP, absorbed a minimum amount of water throughout
the period of 120 days at various temperatures, whereas the
natural fibre based composite absorbed the highest amount
of water during the same period. The hybrid composite
(HC5) absorbed 6.1 % of water during this period at 80 oC,
whereas natural fibre based one (NFC2) absorbed 7.3 %. It
was found that the absorbance increases with the temperature,
and this is may be due to the penetration of water molecule at
high temperature through the micro pore and the void of the

Tm2
(oC)
161
162
162
162
163

Tc1
(oC)
118
119
118
118
118

Tc2
(oC)
127
127
128
127
126

Enthalpy
(J/g)
46.58
28.40
28.89
31.00
31.04

dsc
(%)
22.3
22.6
23.0
24.7
24.8

Figure 8. Water uptake percentages (wt%) of various composites

at various temperatures (oC).

composite. Natural fibre is hydrophilic in nature, whereas

glass fibre is hydrophobic. Thus natural fibre based composites
showed the higher absorbance than the hybrid composite at
same condition.

Conclusion
Oil palm empty fruit bunch and glass fibre based recycled
polypropylene hybrid composites were prepared by using
extrusion and injection moulding process, and their mechanical,
thermal and morphological properties were studied. Fibre
loading was considered as 40 %, whereas EFB:glass fibre
ratio was considered as 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 and 90:10.
Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene of two types
(polybond and fusabond) were used as coupling agent to
improve the interfacial bonding between fibres and matrix.
The highest tensile, bending and impact strength were
obtained as 34 MPa, 24 MPa and 23 J/m2, respectively. The
trend of modulus data were found similar to the strength
data. Composite prepared with EFB:GF ratio at 70:30,
showed improved properties compared to that of others. The
crystallinity was found to be increased due to fibre loading
and using of coupling agent. The water uptake was found to
be increasing with temperature.

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Fibers and Polymers 2014, Vol.15, No.7

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