Effects of oil palm frond fiber reinforcement on morphology, mechanical, and acoustic properties of rigid polyurethane foam

Istana, Budi and Abd Razak, Jeefferie and Prayuda, Dimas and Dai, Rahmat (2026) Effects of oil palm frond fiber reinforcement on morphology, mechanical, and acoustic properties of rigid polyurethane foam. International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, 23 (1). pp. 13295-13306. ISSN 2180-1606

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Abstract

The quest for innovative, eco-friendly materials has spurred the exploration of agricultural biomass waste as a potential resource for polymer composites. The current study examines the impact of untreated oil palm frond (OPF) fiber on the multifunctional and sustainable performance of rigid polyurethane (PU) foam in the oil palm industry, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 13. Using a one-shot polymerization method, OPF foams were fabricated with fiber contents of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 (wt%). The foams were tested for density, morphology, compressive strength, and sound absorption performance in accordance with ASTM D1621 and ISO 10534-2. Experimental densities were compared with theoretical values to confirm that the foam production process was consistent. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that OPF contents above 20 wt% disrupted the cellular structure, resulting in non-uniform cell sizes and increased cell wall collapse. These morphological defects contributed to a reduction in compressive strength from 0.1901 N/mm² for neat PU foam to 0.0697 N/mm² at 30 wt% OPF. In contrast, the 30 wt% OPF foam showed greater porosity and a higher proportion of open cells, resulting in superior sound absorption performance in the 1000–2500 Hz frequency range. Overall, the findings reveal a clear trade-off between mechanical strength and acoustic efficiency. PU foams with high OPF content possess eco- sustainable benefits and enhanced sound-absorbing qualities. Despite the reduction in compressive strength, high OPF-loaded PU foams show potential for lightweight, non-structural applications, such as automotive parts and interior building materials.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Rigid polyurethane foam, Oil palm frond fiber, Natural fiber composites, Acoustic absorption, Mechanical–acoustic trade-off, Sustainable materials
Divisions:	Faculty Of Industrial And Manufacturing Technology And Engineering
Depositing User:	Sabariah Ismail
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2026 08:37
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2026 08:37
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/30009
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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