Mohd Ariff Jamaludin

Minimizing the environmental burden of oil palm trunk residues through the development of laminated veneer lumber products.

This paper discusses the results from the initiative that has been undertaken to utilize residues from oil palm re‐plantation, particularly the oil palm trunk (OPT) for the production of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Efficient use of such residues is vital in order to minimize the environmental burdens associated with the disposal of the oil palm residues, thus ensuring the future growth of Malaysian palm oil industry. The bending and compression strength of the OPT LVL produced were accessed and compared with Malaysian oak (formerly known as rubberwood), timber species that is commonly used in the manufacture of furniture in Malaysia. Properties of OPT LVL were found almost comparable to solid Malaysian oak in terms of bending and compression strength. Combination of OPT veneers with several layers of Malaysian oak veneers during the process of LVL manufacturing has resulted in the improvement in bending and compression strength of the LVL as compared to those produced entirely from OPT. In addition, such practice also produced LVL board with far less variation in strength properties as compared to solid OPT properties. With further research and development embarked upon the gluability of the OPT materials, the overall performance of the OPT LVL could be improved for commercial utilization of OPT wastes in the near future. Development higher value‐added by‐products from oil palm industry residues, would benefit the industry through reduction of the overall environmental burden and would place it on a new environmentally sustainable platform.

Physical properties of high density fibreboard made from hydrothermally treated kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) fibres

This study was done to evaluate the effect of the hydrothermal treatment on kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) fibres high density fibreboard (HDF) at elevated temperatures. Four types of HDF were manufactured, one was untreated and the others were treated at three different temperatures that were 100, 130 and 150 °C for 30 minutes in a laboratory autoclave. The thickness swelling of panel when immersed in water decreased with increased of temperature. When the hydrophobicity of panels were increased, the adhesion and penetration of phenol formaldehyde are also decreased. All type of panel manufactured according to the requirement of EN BS 317 standards. HDF panels made from hydrothermally treated kenaf fibres treated at 150°C can be used for interior application or in areas where it will not be exposed directly to moisture.

Flexural Properties of Bio-Composite Made from Hydrothermally Treated Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) Fibres

This study evaluated the effect on bending strength of hydrothermal treatment on kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) fibres of high density fibreboards (HDF) at elevated temperatures. HDF were manufactured from untreated and treated kenaf fibres at three different temperatures that were 100, 130 and 150 °C for 30 minutes in a laboratory autoclave. The bending strength of panel referred to MOE and MOR of sample were analyzed. Bending strength of panel was increased with the increased of temperature. HDF panels made from hydrothermally treated kenaf fibres at 150°C has the higher MOE value and can be used as the building partition or application that needed high elasticity materials.

The Bending Strength of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) from Different Ratios of Kenaf and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) Admixture for Light Weight Construction

The use of alternative materials from agriculture and plantation bio-mass has widely been researched especially for use in bio-composites. These bio-mass have been used in flour form as fillers, in fibre form as reinforcements and in both flour and fibre forms as bulking agents. These bio-mass not only enhanced the composites but also help to reduce the burden on natural fibres from the forests. Furthermore, these bio-mass fibres can be used as an alternative or supplementary raw material in composites such as fibre glass-polymer composites by replacing part of the synthetic fibres, if not all, depending on the final application of the finished composites. Combining one material with other materials provides a strategy for producing advanced composite materials that take advantage of the properties especially bending strength of both types of resources. It allows the researcher to design materials based on end-use requirements within a framework of cost, availability, recyclability, energy use, and environmental considerations. This paper reports on the bending strength of MDF from kenaf, oil palm EFB, and from admixtures of EFB and kenaf in different ratios. Production of composite material from these diversified resources will not only help to reduce the pressure on natural forests, it is also an alternative to overcome waste disposal problems in palm oil industries. The results indicate that kenaf and EFB could be mixed to produce MDF. The panel produced can be used for furniture components such as table tops and shelves, wall partitions and door panels.

Effects on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Thermochemical Treated Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) Fibres Composite Board

In this study, physical and mechanical properties of high density kenaf (hibiscus cannabinus) fibreboard (HDKF) were evaluated. Thermochemical treated kenaf fibres were treated with three different temperatures that were 100oC, 130oC and 150oC in laboratory autoclave. The physical properties (thickness swelling and water absorption) and mechanical properties (static bending and internal bonding tests) were tested according to British Standards. The results showed that the thermochemical treatment was effective to reduce thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA). Since the static bending test modulus of rupture (MOR) was reduced, whereas modulus of elasticity (MOE) was increased up to 130°C of treatment than started to drop when treated with 150°C of temperature. For internal bonding test results showed some improvement when treated with thermochemical treatment.

Evaluation of rapeseed stalk particleboard bonded with laboratory-made urea-formaldehyde resin

Brassica napus L. (rapeseed) stalk was used as a possible raw material for particleboard. A urea-formaldehyde resin was synthesized in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The physical characteristics of the synthesized urea-formaldehyde resin were analyzed for solid content, specific gravity, viscosity, gel time, pH, and free formaldehyde content. The laboratory particleboards were made using rapeseed stalk and wood particles based on a rapeseed stalk oven dry weight of 0, 23, 48, 73, and 100% with UF resin. The physical and mechanical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM D 1037-99 procedure. The internal bond, bending strength and screw-holding properties of the particleboards made using the urea-formaldehyde resin decreased gradually with increasing rapeseed stalk content. However, the acceptable physical and mechanical properties of all the particleboards demonstrated that rapeseed stalk is a suitable raw material for particleboard manufacture.O caule de Brassica napus L. (colza) foi usado como materia-prima para fabricacao de chapas aglomeradas. A resina a base de ureia-formaldeido foi sintetizada em laboratorio com 50% de teor de solidos como agente ligante. As caracteristicas fisicas da resina de ureia-formaldeido sintetizada foram analisadas com base no teor de solidos, massa especifica, viscosidade, tempo gel, pH e teor de formaldeido livre. Os aglomerados foram feitos em laboratorio, usando o caule da Brassica napus e particulas de madeira com base de caule da mesma especie, no peso seco nas proporcoes de 0%, 23%, 48%, 73%, e 100% e resina de ureia-formadeido. As propriedades fisicas e mecânicas dos aglomerados foram testadas de acordo com procedimentos da norma ASTM 0 1037-99. A ligacao interna, a resistencia a flexao e as propriedades de retencao de parafusos nos aglomerados, usando a resina ureia-formaldeido reduziram gradualmente com o aumento da proporcao do caule da colza. No entanto, as propriedades fisicas e mecânicas aceitaveis de todos os aglomerados demostraram que o caule da colza e materia-prima adequada na manufatura de aglomerados.

AVALIAÇÃO DE CAULE DA COLZA AGLOMERADO VINCULADO COM LABORATÓRIO RESINA UREIA-FORMALDEÍDO

Brassica napus L. (rapeseed) stalk was used as a possible raw material for particleboard. A urea-formaldehyde resin was synthesized in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The physical characteristics of the synthesized urea-formaldehyde resin were analyzed for solid content, specific gravity, viscosity, gel time, pH, and free formaldehyde content. The laboratory particleboards were made using rapeseed stalk and wood particles based on a rapeseed stalk oven dry weight of 0, 23, 48, 73, and 100% with UF resin. The physical and mechanical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM D 1037-99 procedure. The internal bond, bending strength and screw-holding properties of the particleboards made using the urea-formaldehyde resin decreased gradually with increasing rapeseed stalk content. However, the acceptable physical and mechanical properties of all the particleboards demonstrated that rapeseed stalk is a suitable raw material for particleboard manufacture.O caule de Brassica napus L. (colza) foi usado como materia-prima para fabricacao de chapas aglomeradas. A resina a base de ureia-formaldeido foi sintetizada em laboratorio com 50% de teor de solidos como agente ligante. As caracteristicas fisicas da resina de ureia-formaldeido sintetizada foram analisadas com base no teor de solidos, massa especifica, viscosidade, tempo gel, pH e teor de formaldeido livre. Os aglomerados foram feitos em laboratorio, usando o caule da Brassica napus e particulas de madeira com base de caule da mesma especie, no peso seco nas proporcoes de 0%, 23%, 48%, 73%, e 100% e resina de ureia-formadeido. As propriedades fisicas e mecânicas dos aglomerados foram testadas de acordo com procedimentos da norma ASTM 0 1037-99. A ligacao interna, a resistencia a flexao e as propriedades de retencao de parafusos nos aglomerados, usando a resina ureia-formaldeido reduziram gradualmente com o aumento da proporcao do caule da colza. No entanto, as propriedades fisicas e mecânicas aceitaveis de todos os aglomerados demostraram que o caule da colza e materia-prima adequada na manufatura de aglomerados.

Avaliação de aglomerado de caule da colza colado com resina ureia-formaldeído produzida em laboratório

Brassica napus L. (rapeseed) stalk was used as a possible raw material for particleboard. A urea-formaldehyde resin was synthesized in the laboratory with resin solids at 50% content as a particleboard binder. The physical characteristics of the synthesized urea-formaldehyde resin were analyzed for solid content, specific gravity, viscosity, gel time, pH, and free formaldehyde content. The laboratory particleboards were made using rapeseed stalk and wood particles based on a rapeseed stalk oven dry weight of 0, 23, 48, 73, and 100% with UF resin. The physical and mechanical properties of the particleboards were tested according to the ASTM D 1037-99 procedure. The internal bond, bending strength and screw-holding properties of the particleboards made using the urea-formaldehyde resin decreased gradually with increasing rapeseed stalk content. However, the acceptable physical and mechanical properties of all the particleboards demonstrated that rapeseed stalk is a suitable raw material for particleboard manufacture.O caule de Brassica napus L. (colza) foi usado como materia-prima para fabricacao de chapas aglomeradas. A resina a base de ureia-formaldeido foi sintetizada em laboratorio com 50% de teor de solidos como agente ligante. As caracteristicas fisicas da resina de ureia-formaldeido sintetizada foram analisadas com base no teor de solidos, massa especifica, viscosidade, tempo gel, pH e teor de formaldeido livre. Os aglomerados foram feitos em laboratorio, usando o caule da Brassica napus e particulas de madeira com base de caule da mesma especie, no peso seco nas proporcoes de 0%, 23%, 48%, 73%, e 100% e resina de ureia-formadeido. As propriedades fisicas e mecânicas dos aglomerados foram testadas de acordo com procedimentos da norma ASTM 0 1037-99. A ligacao interna, a resistencia a flexao e as propriedades de retencao de parafusos nos aglomerados, usando a resina ureia-formaldeido reduziram gradualmente com o aumento da proporcao do caule da colza. No entanto, as propriedades fisicas e mecânicas aceitaveis de todos os aglomerados demostraram que o caule da colza e materia-prima adequada na manufatura de aglomerados.

Characterisation of Fibre Morphology of Microwave-Treated Oil Palm Trunk (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

In this study, fibre morphology of microwave-treated oil palm trunks (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) was studied. Thirty years old palm trunks (OPT) were selected, felled and divided into peripheral, middle and inner zones. Only the basal portion of the OPT was used to reduce variability of sampling. Microwave treatment of the OPT samples were conducted by using a domestic microwave oven operating at 2.45 GHz and with maximum rated power output of 950 watt. The samples were microwave-treated at four different power intensities of 950, 700, 500 and 300 watts and for four different exposure durations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 min leading to a total six varying combinations of power and exposure period. The untreated OPT sample was used for comparison purpose. The fibre length, fibre diameter, fibre lumens diameter, and fibre walls thickness were measured between each of the zones of the oil palm trunk in relation to the different microwave treatment. All microwave treated samples showed changes in the fibre with the combinations of microwave treatment with 700 watts power intensities with 15 minutes exposure durations produced the most stretched and elongated fibres. This findings could be useful in finding suitable techniques for processing the OPT into value-added products.

Non-Steady State Moisture Diffusion Flow in Homogenous Pineapple Leaves Particleboard

Non steady state diffusion flow is unstable movement of moisture in a material which changes with respect to time. Diffusion coefficient describes the rate at which water moves from the interior to the surface of the materials. Absorption and desorption are the variables that are used to determine the diffusion coefficient. Understanding of the water absorption and desorption is important since it affects the mechanical properties of materials such as strength and durability properties. Water absorption and desorption of the materials or products intended for drying are important for the design and operation of dryers such as kiln drying and other processing system. Nowadays, the processing of solid wood into finish product is decreasing due to increase in the cost of solid wood and insufficient supply of quality logs. Agricultural waste such as pineapple leaves is one of the potential raw materials that can be used in particleboards manufacturing. Pineapple leaves particleboards were produced and the diffusion of coefficient of water absorption, percentage thickness swelling and percentage thickness shrinking were determined. Diffusion coefficient was determined based on the absorption and desorption rate. The particleboards manufacturing followed BS EN 326 and testing of samples was in accordance with BS EN 317. The difference in thickness of particleboard has great influence on physical properties. In this study the particleboard made of 1 cm has the lowest water absorption compared with 2 cm particle board and has highest thickness shrinking.