A.M. Issam

Optimization of bioresource material from oil palm trunk core drying using microwave radiation; a response surface methodology application

In this study optimization of drying oil palm trunk core lumber (OPTCL) biomass using microwave radiation was reported. Optimizing of the drying conditions using microwave, avoid burning, shrinkage and increasing the permeability of OPT was aimed to develop a new value added material. A set of experiments was designed by central composite design using response surface methodology (RSM) to statistically evaluate the findings. Three independent process variables including time (2-10 min), sample weight (300-1000 g) and input power (660-3300 W) were studied under the given conditions designed by Design Expert software. The results showed the effectiveness of microwave drying in reducing the time and better removal of moisture as compared to that of oven drying with no significant changes. Employing optimum conditions at 6.89 min of time with a microwave power set at 4 for a sample of 1000 g, predicting 14.62% of moisture content.

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) Reinforced in New Unsaturated Polyester Composites

The mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact properties) and water absorption of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) reinforced in new unsaturated polyester composites were studied. New OPEFB reinforced polyester composite derived from new unsaturated polyester resin containing bis-(2-hydroxylethyl) fumarate (monomer I) which was synthesized from ethylene glycol with fumaric acid in the presence of P-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst was prepared. The chemical structure was confirmed by CHN analysis, FT-IR, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. New unsaturated polyester was carried out by the condensation reaction between terepthaloyl chloride and monomer I. The chemical structure of this polymer was confirmed by CHN analyses, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Recycled Polypropylene-Oil Palm Biomass: The Effect on Mechanical and Physical Properties

In this study, 25-year-old oil palm biomass (OPB) fiber—polypropylene (PP) composites are prepared by five different fiber loadings (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%). The types of OPB used are oil palm empty fruit bunches, oil palm frond, and oil palm trunk. Transmission electron microscopy has confirmed that the cell wall structures of the various oil palm fibers have different cell wall thicknesses and exhibit the same ultrastructure as that of wood. The fibers consist of middle lamella, primary, and thick secondary walls with different thicknesses for different types of fibers. The secondary wall is differentiated into a S1 layer, a unique multi-lamellae S 2 layer, and a S3 layer. OPB fibers are compounded with PP using a Brabender DSK 42/7 twin screw extruder. The mechanical features such as tensile, flexural and impact properties of the OPB—PP composite are studied. The melt flow index (MFI) of the composite materials is also studied. Generally, the results show that lower fiber loading (10%) exhibits the highest tensile strength and MFI properties as compared to higher fiber loading (50%). Evidence of a fiber—matrix interphase is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.

Effect of Anhydride Modification on the Thermal Stability of Cultivated Acacia mangium

Abstract This paper tests the hypothesis that propionic and succinic anhydride modification will improve the thermal stability of cultivated Acacia mangium wood. The thermal stability of modified wood was characterized with thermogravimetric analysis. Evidence of modification was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis. Our results show that chemical modification with anhydrides improves the thermal stability of the Acacia wood. The higher thermal stability of anhydride-modified Acacia wood compared with unmodified wood is attributed to the reduction in hydrophilic nature of the wood due to esterification. Succinylated wood has better thermal stability than propionylated wood based on the values of on-set degradation temperatures, the temperatures at which 30, 50, and 70% degradation occurred, and the activation energy. The improved thermal stability of modified wood compared with the unmodified wood will offer potential for better utilization of Acacia mangium.

Physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried wood lumber impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin

In this study, microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber was impregnated with phenol formaldehyde resin using high pressure vacuum chamber. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was performed under 3 bar pressure and cured in an oven at 150℃ for 2 h. The impregnation of oil palm trunk core lumber was carried out at different time intervals (15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) to obtain different density lumber and compared with microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood. The physical and thermal properties of microwave-dried oil palm trunk core lumber, impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber and rubberwood were studied. In general, the impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber obtained better physical properties than microwave dried oil palm trunk core lumber but slightly lower than rubberwood. The thermal stability of oil palm trunk core lumber was analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis and it shows that rubberwood exhibited better thermal stability than impregnated oil palm trunk core lumber.

Effect of Methylene Spacers of Unsaturated Polyester Resins on the Properties of Composites Based on Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches and Fiberglass

Monomers of bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) fumarate and bis-(6-hydroxyhexyl) fumarate were synthesized from ethylene glycol and 1,6-hexanediol, respectively, with fumaric acid in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. The new unsaturated polyester resins were made through condensation reaction between the monomers and terephthaloyl chloride. The chemical structures of these monomers and polymers were confirmed by CHN analyses, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and extended by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). New oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) reinforced polyester composites were then derived from the new unsaturated polyester resins containing bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) fumarate and bis-(6-hydroxyhexyl) fumarate. The mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact) and water absorption of the new oil palm empty fruit bunches reinforced polyester composites were studied and compared with fiberglass reinforced polyester composites.

New Epoxy Resins Based on Azomethine Groups for Potential Polymer Applications

ABSTRACT A series of new epoxy resins containing azomethine groups were synthesized by condensation reaction. The structures were characterized and confirmed by FTIR, 1 H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV and elemental analysis. Thermal stability and degradation behavior of these epoxy resins were examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of thermal analysis showed that, all resins possess high thermal stability. The epoxy resins based on p-hydroxybenzaldehyde exhibited high thermal stability as compared to 4-hydoxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde. The resins produced showed good properties and can be used as matrix in polymer composites.