Summary of "Biokomposit Serat Kelapa Sawit Sebagai Bahan Otomotif_Kelompok 6A"
Summary of “Biokomposit Serat Kelapa Sawit Sebagai Bahan Otomotif_Kelompok 6A”
This presentation by Kelompok 6A discusses the development and evaluation of biocomposites made from palm oil fiber as a renewable, sustainable material for automotive applications. The study focuses on utilizing palm oil industry by-products, specifically fibers from palm oil fruit bunches, as reinforcement in biocomposites, combined with polypropylene as a matrix, calcium carbonate as a filler, and glycerin as an additive.
Main Ideas and Concepts
Background and Motivation
- The palm oil industry produces large amounts of solid waste such as empty fruit bunches, fibers, and shells.
- These by-products have potential for value-added applications including bioethanol, fuel, fertilizer, and composite materials.
- Biocomposites made from natural fibers are increasingly used in automotive components due to their:
- Renewable nature
- Recyclability
- Energy efficiency
- Cost-effectiveness
- Ability to reduce vehicle weight by 10–30%
Applications of Biocomposites
- Used in automotive interiors and exteriors.
- Examples include Mercedes-Benz E-Class components made with natural fiber composites.
- Other applications:
- Sound absorbers
- Helmet manufacturing
- Structural reinforcement
Materials
- Reinforcement: Palm oil fruit fiber (both untreated and lignin-removed fibers)
- Matrix: Polypropylene (a thermoplastic polymer)
- Filler: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
- Additive: Glycerin
Composite Manufacturing Methods
- Open molding: contact molding, spray-up, filament winding
- Closed molding: compression molding, injection molding, extrusion
- This study uses extrusion and compression molding.
Research Methodology
- Preparation:
- Fiber cleaning and size reduction to 50 microns
- Soaking fibers in 10% NaOH for 24 hours to remove impurities/lignin
- Drying fibers
- Composite formulation:
- Varying fiber-to-polypropylene ratios: 1:3, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15
- Fixed filler (5% CaCO₃) and glycerin (1%) content
- Processing:
- Blending via extruder at 190°C
- Molding and cooling to form test samples
Testing and Characterization
- Density measurement using Archimedes method (ASTM D standard)
- Mechanical testing:
- Compressive strength (ASTM D695)
- Tensile strength and tensile strain
- Surface morphology analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to assess fiber-matrix homogeneity
Key Findings and Results
Density
- Higher fiber content increases density but results in lighter composites overall since fiber density is less than polypropylene.
- Fibers with lignin removed produce composites with lower density.
Compressive Strength
- Increases with higher fiber-to-polypropylene ratios.
- Composites with lignin-removed fibers have lower compressive strength than those with untreated fibers.
- Polypropylene matrix dominates compressive strength behavior.
Tensile Properties
- Tensile strain decreases as fiber content increases.
- Tensile stress increases with higher fiber content.
- Lignin content affects tensile strength; untreated fibers yield lower tensile strength.
Morphology
- SEM images show homogeneous mixing of fibers, polypropylene matrix, and calcium carbonate filler.
- Good dispersion indicates effective composite formation.
Conclusion
- Palm oil fiber biocomposites demonstrate mechanical properties suitable for automotive applications.
- The composite offers a sustainable alternative material with adequate strength, lightweight, and cost benefits.
- This study supports the use of palm oil industry waste in high-value automotive components.
Methodology / Procedure (Detailed)
Material Preparation
- Clean palm oil fibers to remove impurities.
- Reduce fiber particle size to 50 microns.
- Soak fibers in 10% NaOH solution for 24 hours to remove lignin.
- Dry fibers thoroughly.
Composite Formulation
- Mix polypropylene (matrix), palm oil fiber (reinforcement), calcium carbonate (filler), and glycerin (additive).
- Use fiber-to-polypropylene ratios: 1:3, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15.
- Fix filler at 5% and glycerin at 1%.
Manufacturing Process
- Blend materials using an extruder at 190°C.
- Clamp and cool the blended composite.
- Remove composite from mold.
Testing
- Measure density using Archimedes method (ASTM D).
- Perform compressive strength test (ASTM D695).
- Conduct tensile strength and tensile strain tests.
- Analyze surface morphology using SEM.
Speakers / Sources Featured
- Raden Muhammad Miralby Brahim – Moderator and presenter
- Irham Nurdiansyah – Group member
- Irfani – Group member
- Andreas Panjaitan – Group member
- Yeskiel Purba – Group member
- Muhammad Rehan – Group member, explained research method
- Muhammad Raihan – Presented research method and testing results
This summary captures the essence of the presentation on palm oil fiber biocomposites for automotive use, highlighting the research background, materials, methods, results, and conclusions.
Category
Educational
