Oil Palm Fiber-Polystyrene Composites

Polystyrene is an aromatic polymer made from styrene, an aromatic monomer which is commercially manufactured from petroleum. Polystyrene is commonly injection moulded or extruded while expanded polystyrene is either extruded or moulded in a special process. Solid polystyrene is used in disposable cutlery, plastic models, CD and DVD cases, etc. Foamed polystyrene is mainly used for packing materials, insulation, foam drink cups, etc. Polystyrene foams are good thermal insulators and therefore used as building insulation materials such as in structural insulated panel building systems. They are also used for non-weight-bearing architectural structures. The information on OPF-polystyrene composites is limited. 

The modulus of OPF-polystyrene composites increased with fiber loading up to 30%, however the maximum strain and flexural strength decreased [7]. The drop in strain was suspected due to irregular shape of the fibers, which caused inabflity of transferring stress from the matrix. The flexural properties viz., maximum stress, maximum strain, modulus of elasticity and Yoxmg s modulus of OPF-polystyrene composites at 10% fiber content (300-500pm size fibers) were reported as 46.43 MPa, 0.027 mm, 1665.35 MPa and 2685.84 MPa, respectively. The flexural properties were not affected by fiber size when the size was below 300 pm. The flexural properties of polystyrene composites improved upon benzoylation due to better interfacial adhesion and hydro-phobicity of the fibers. 

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