Effect of oil palm fiber on physical and tribological behavior of unsaturated polyester-oil palm ash composite

Preliminary studies have successfully been conducted on the physical characterization and tribological behavior of oil palm fiber-reinforced composites based on unsaturated polyester and oil palm ash. In an effort to initiate segregation of composite particles, oil palm ash was used as a segregation agent to increase the surface roughness of the material. The composite preparation method was carried out using the hand lay-up technique for 1 hour at 100 °C. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide was used as a hardening agent to increase the hardness of the composite. The composite that contained 10 wt.% oil palm fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester-oil palm ash showed the lowest porosity and highest density values compared to the other samples. The decrease in porosity and increase in density can be attributed to the incorporation of 10 wt.% oil palm fiber, which promotes increased segregation of the composite particles, leading to an overall volume increase. Furthermore, the increase in density results in a drastic decrease in the rate of water absorption. The sample with the optimal wear level also had the lowest value compared to the other samples, and this reduction in wear and tear is supported by the high coefficient of friction it exhibits.