The use of organic fiber in composite materials has recently become an exciting research object done because it has superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to synthetic fiber. Some of the advantages of using organic fiber on composite materials compared to synthetic fiber are low density, the fiber made from renewable materials that require less energy to produce, lower production costs, less risk on manufacturing processes. The use of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) as fiber in this study due to the abundant availability and as an alternative to reducing waste in the palm oil processing industry. The purpose of this research is to know the mechanical, morphological and thermal characteristics of the polymeric foam composite reinforced with empty fruit bunch. Using 10%, 15% and 20% EFB fiber, polyurethane (PU) as a blowing agent and unsaturated polyester resin 157 BTQN-Ex series as a matrix. The tensile test results show the best tensile strength is specimen B (70 wt% resin, 15 wt% polyurethane and 15 wt% EFB). The morphological analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows that the addition of the percentage of EFB fiber up to 20 wt% affects the cavity formed of polymeric foam composite material where the cavity looks uneven, and it appears that EFB and resin fibers are not well mixed and there are agglomerations of fibers. The result of thermal stability testing using Thermogravimetry Analyzer (TGA) showed that the best thermal stability was specimen C with peak temperature (Tpeak) 356,7 °C in 30 minutes with a mass decrease 66,506%.

The sustainable use of agricultural waste to generate valuable products while minimizing environmental burdens is increasing rapidly. Multiple sources of fibers have been intensively studied concerning their application in various fields and industries. However, few publications have extensively discussed the property’s performance of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) composites. With main properties similar to composites currently listed for industrial applications, OPEFB is worth listing as a potential composite for industrial applications and non-structural material alternatives. OPEFB-reinforced polymer composites are expected to be applied to automotive interior parts. This study aims to determine the effect of adding zinc oxide (ZnO) and polyurethane on OPEFB-reinforced polymer composites for automotive interior parts. This composite was produced using the hand lay-up method with 70% resin, 15% OPEFB fiber, 15% polyurethane as a blowing agent, and four variations of ZnO at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The OPEFB particle sizes are 40, 60, 80, and 100, respectively. The composite was examined to determine mechanical, morphology, chemical, and thermal characteristics. It was observed that the addition of 20% ZnO caused ZnO agglomeration, weakening the interfacial bond between OPEFB particles, polyester, polyurethane, and ZnO filler. Overall, the results showed that adding ZnO and polyurethane to the composite increased tensile, compressive, flexural, and impact strength, as well as thermal stability with more significant values up to 160%, 225%, 100%, 100%, and 4.3%, respectively. This result depicted that the best composition was specimens with 15% ZnO and 149 microns OPEFB fibers particle size. It is considered a promising candidate to be applied in automotive interior components.

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is one of the palm oil industry solid wastes that can be used as an alternative material to product composites. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the addition of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) as a filler material hybridized with OPEFB fiber to the flexural strength of polymeric foam composites. The aim of this research is to obtain the strength of the flexural test value of the composite material polymeric foam reinforced OPEFB fiber and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) with reference to the ASTM D790-92 standard. The composition of the specimens are 70% Resin, 15% OPEFB Fiber, 15% Polyurethane with different fiber sizes namely mesh (40, 60, 80, 100) and the addition of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) of (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%). The test specimen used for each composition is 5 samples, so that the entire test sample is 100 samples. From the test data it can be concluded the value of flexural strength in the 100 mesh OPEFB specimens and the addition of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 10% is the best composition compared to 40, 60 and 80 mesh OPEFB with the addition of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 5%, 15%, and 20%, where the voltage value is 10,01141 MPa and the strain value is 0,898456 mm / mm. From the research data it can also be concluded that the smaller the OPEFB fiber size with the addition of zinc oxidation (ZnO) 10%, the flexural strength of the polymeric foam composite material will be better.