The effect of aluminum hydroxide loading on the mechanical, thermal conductivity and acoustic properties of palm-based polyurehane hybrid composite

Abstract

The effect of aluminum hydroxide (ATH) loading in the palm-based polyurethane hybrid composite was studied. The hybrid composite was prepared with the optimum addition of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) (10 wt%) followed by ATH loading with 2,4,6 wt%from the overall mass weight of the polyol. The tests conducted were compression test, thermal conductivity test, and sound absorption plus SEM observation. The compression stress and compression modulus showed higher value (575 kPa and 2301 kPa) at 2 % ATH. At 4 % ATH the compression stress and modulus decreased to 431 kPa and 1659 kPa respectively and 6 % ATH showed that the compression stress and modulus also decreased to 339 kPa and 1468 kPa respectively. This result was supported by the SEM observation. Thermal conductivity showed that the value increased with the increment of the ATH loading but decreased at 6 % ATH (0.0408 WlmK). Sound absorption analysis showed at 1000 Hz, the absorption coefficient for 2 % ATH decreased to 0.33 but increased at 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. At 4000 Hz, the absorption coefficient decreased for the 4 % ATH (0.61). From the absorption coefficient graph, at lower frequency (2000 - 4000 Hz), PU-EFBIATH with 4 % ATH showed highest absorption coefficient. Keywords: Aluminum hydroxide, polyurethane composite, thermal conductivity, acoustic