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Polymers and Polymer Composites

Efficacy of fibre aspect ratio and prepolymerised polyurethane as binder in enhancing strength of palm-based fibreboard

September 1, 2016 By: Azlin Mohmad Azman; Azizah Baharum; Khairiah Haji Badri Research article

Title: Efficacy of fibre aspect ratio and prepolymerised polyurethane as binder in enhancing strength of palm-based fibreboard
Page Range: p.789-794
Author(s): Azlin Mohmad Azman; Azizah Baharum; Khairiah Haji Badri
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 24
Issue No: No.9

Abstract
Palm-based medium-density fibreboard (palm-based MDF) comprised of polyurethane prepolymer (pPU) and palm oil empty fruit bunch fibre (EFB) was prepared. The pPU was a reacting mixture in acetone consisted of palm kernel oil-based monoester polyol (PKO-p) and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with polyethylene glycol (Mw of 200 kDa, PEG200) as the plasticiser. EFB with size ranging from 250 (mu)m to 500 (mu)m (MDF S1), 500 (mu)m to 1000 (mu)m (MDF S2) and 1000 (mu)m to 2000 (mu)m (MDF S3) was investigated. The flexural strength and modulus increased with decreasing fibre size with optimum strength and modulus at 46.7 MPa and 1923 MPa respectively. Higher glass transition temperature (Tg at 77 deg C) was observed in MDF S1 compared to MDF S3 (Tg at 67 deg C). FTIR spectrum indicated possible formation of urethane linkage between the reactive NCO active groups in pPU with OH group from cellulose constituent in EFB fibre. 14 Refs.

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