In this work, hybrid composites were produced by blending oil palm fibers with coir fibers and high-density polyethylene for fixed fiber content (40 wt%). The composites were manufactured by twin-screw extrusion followed by compression molding. In particular, the effect of coupling agent (maleated polyethylene) concentration (0, 2, and 4 wt%) was investigated. From the composites obtained, the morphological, structural, and thermal properties were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed-infrared spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of fiber ratio and compatibilization on mechanical performances was studied in tension, flexion, torsion, and impact. The results showed that the compatibilized composites have better fiber dispersion/distribution (homogeneity) due to chemical bonding leading to good interfacial adhesion. All the mechanical properties increased with the presence of fibers and compatibilizer, with non-hybrid composites of coir and oil palm fibers exhibiting the highest and lowest moduli, respectively.
HoltGAChowPWanjuraJD. Evaluation of thermal treatments to improve physical and mechanical properties of bio-composites made from cotton byproducts and other agricultural fibers. Indus Crop Prod2014; 52: 627–632.
2.
ShamriaSLShamsunNMahbubH. Fabrication and electrical characterization of bamboo fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite. J Reinf Plast Compos2015; 34: 187–195.
3.
Qaiss AEK, Bouhfid R and Essabir H. Natural fibers reinforced polymeric matrix: thermal, mechanical and interfacial properties. In: KR Hakeem, M Jawaid and U Rashid (eds) Biomass and Bioenergy: Processing and Properties. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2014, pp. 225--244.
4.
MalhaMNekhlaouiSEssabirH. Mechanical and thermal properties of compatibilized polypropylene reinforced by woven doum. J Appl Polym Sci2013; 130: 4347–4356.
5.
OuRXieYWolcottMP. Morphology, mechanical properties, and dimensional stability of wood particle/high density polyethylene composites: effect of removal of wood cell wall composition. Mater Des2014; 58: 339–345.
6.
PriscilaFOMariaFVM. Comparison between coconut and curaua fibers chemically treated for compatibility with PP matrixes. J Reinf Plast Compos2014; 33: 430–439.
Qaiss AEK, Bouhfid R and Essabir H. Characterization and use of coir, almond, apricot, argan, shells, and wood as reinforcement in the polymeric matrix in order to valorize these products. In: KR Hakeem, M Jawaid and OY Alothman (eds) Agricultural Biomass Based Potential Materials. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2015, pp. 305--339.
9.
EssabirHEI AchabyMHilaliEM. Morphological, structural, thermal and tensile properties of high density polyethylene composites reinforced with treated argan nut shell particles. J Bionic Eng2015; 12: 129–141.
KumarSMSDuraibabuDSubramanianK. Studies on mechanical, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of untreated (raw) and treated coconut sheath fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Mater Des2014; 59: 63–69.
12.
MirSSNafsinNHasanM. Improvement of physico-mechanical properties of coir-polypropylene biocomposites by fiber chemical treatment. Mater Des2013; 52: 251–257.
13.
ArrakhizFZEl AchabyMKakouAC. Mechanical properties of high density polyethylene reinforced with chemically modified coir fibers: impact of chemical treatments. Mater Des2012; 37: 379–983.
14.
TranHNShinjiONguyenHT. Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial and mechanical properties of coir fiber reinforced poly(butylene succinate) biodegradable composites. Compos Part B-Eng2011; 42: 1648–1656.
15.
KhalidMRatnamCTChuahTG. Comparative study of polypropylene composites reinforced with palm empty fruit bunch fiber and oil fiber palm derived cellulose. Mater Des2008; 29: 173–178.
16.
KakouCAArrakhizFZTrokoureyA. Influence of coupling agent content on the properties of high density polyethylene composites reinforced with oil palm fibers. Mater Des2014; 63: 641–649.
HariharanABAAbdul KhalilHPS. Lignocellulose-based hybrid bilayer laminate composite: part I – studies on tensile and impact behavior of oil palm fiber-glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin. J Compos Mater2005; 39: 663–684.
19.
JawaidMAbdul KhalilHPSAbu BakarA. Hybrid composite made from oil palm empty fruit bunches/jute fibres: water absorption, thickness swelling and density behaviour. J Polym Environ2011; 19: 106–109.
20.
JawaidMAbdul KhalilHPSAbu BakarA. Chemical resistance, void contents and tensile properties of oil palm/jute fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites. Mater Des2011; 32: 1014–1019.
21.
ZainudinESYanLHHaniffahWH. Effect of coir fiber loading on mechanical and morphological properties of oil palm fibers reinforced polypropylene composites. Polym Compos2014; 35: 1418–1425.
22.
ISO 527-1:2012. Plastics – determination of tensile properties – Part 1: general principles.
23.
ASTM D790:2003. Standard test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and electrical insulating materials.
24.
ArrakhizFZElachabyMBouhfidR. Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene reinforced with Alfa fiber under different chemical treatment. Mater Des2012; 35: 232–318.
25.
ArrakhizFZEl AchabyMMalhaM. Mechanical and thermal properties of natural fibers reinforced polymer composites: doum/low density polyethylene. Mater Des2013; 43: 200–205.
26.
EssabirHHilaliEEl GharadA. Mechanical and thermal properties of bio-composites based on polypropylene reinforced with Nut shells of Argan particles. Mater Des2013; 49: 442–448.
27.
EssabirHBensalahMOBouhfidR. Fabrication and characterization of apricot shells particles reinforced high density polyethylene based bio-composites: mechanical and thermal properties. J Biobas Mater Bioenergy2014; 8: 344–351.
28.
BoujmalREssabirHNekhlaouiS. Composite from polypropylene and henna fiber: structural, mechanical and thermal properties. J Biobas Mater Bioenergy2014; 8: 246–252.
29.
ElkhaoulaniAArrakhizFZBenmoussaK. Mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composite based on natural fibers: Moroccan hemp fibers/polypropylene. Mater Des2013; 49: 203–208.
30.
Nekhlaoui S, Essabir H, Kunal D, et al. Comparative study for the talc and two kinds of Moroccan clay as reinforcements in polypropylene-SEBS-g-MA matrix. Polym Compos Epub ahead of print 2014. DOI: 10.1002/pc.22986.
31.
ArrakhizFZEl AchabyMBenmoussaK. Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of pine cone fibers reinforced compatibilized polypropylene. Mater Des2012; 40: 528–535.
32.
EssabirHNekhlaouiSMalhaM. Biocomposites based on polypropylene reinforced with almond shells particles: mechanical and thermal properties. Mater Des2013; 51: 225–230.
33.
NekhlaouiSEssabirHBensalahMO. Fracture study of the composite using essential work of fracture method: PP–SEBS–g–MA/E1 clay. Mater Des2014; 53: 741–748.
34.
ArrakhizFZMalhaMBouhfidR. Tensile, flexural and torsional properties of chemically treated alfa, coir and bagasse reinforced polypropylene. Compos Part B2013; 47: 35–41.
35.
ArrakhizFZBenmoussKBouhfidR. Pine cone fiber/clay hybrid composite: mechanical and thermal properties. Mater Des2013; 50: 376–381.
36.
EssabirHElkhaoulaniABenmoussaK. Dynamic mechanical thermal behavior analysis of doum fibers reinforced polypropylene composites. Mater Des2013; 51: 780–788.
37.
Mominul HaqueMDRahmanRIslamand NazrulMD. Mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with chemically treated coir and abaca fiber. J Reinf Plast Compos2010; 29: 2253–2261.
38.
AzmanHArshadASFaridNA. A review on oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-reinforced. Polym Compos Mater2010; 31: 2079–2101.
39.
JohnKVenkata NaiduS. Sisal fiber/glass fiber hybrid composites: the impact and compressive properties. J Reinf Plast Compos2004; 23: 1253–1258.
