DefinePK

Abstract

The work presents a combined experimental and analytical study of the influence of clay mixed with oil palm fruit and oil palm wood particles as reinforcements in polypropylene composites. Sample morphology was characterized via Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanical response determined via tensile and compressive testing. Statistical modeling was employed to validate the experimental results. SEM images show the particles are uniformly dispersed in the polypropylene matrix. The polypropylene matrix tensile strength increases with increasing amounts of reinforcement, with highest reinforcement seen for oil palm wood particles of 1.51MPa. The implications of the results are discussed to enhance the understanding of the clay-oil palm wood particulates as potential reinforcement materials for structural and constructional composites fabrication.