Publication: The effects of different thickness on microstructure and acoustic properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch natural fibre with density of 120 kg/m3
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Date
2025-12-29
Authors
Pavithran a/l Chandran
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Abstract
Sound pollution is becoming a serious issue nowadays. Sound absorption and sound insulation are two ways to reduce the noise. Recently, natural fibres are being used as a replacement for synthetic fibres as they arc abundance especially in Malaysia where we have hundreds of acres of plantations. Not only that, natural fibres are cheaper than fibre glass, it's a non-toxic material, fully biodegradable, lightweight, renewable and most importantly it is safe for health and environment [I I]. This thesis discusses about the effects of diMrent thickness on morphologies and acoustic properties of low density fibreboard (LDF) of oil palm empty fruit bunch. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Sound Absorption Coefficient (SAC) test were used in this study to determine the morphology and acoustic properties of OPEFB fibre. Boards with thickness of 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, and 16 mm were chosen and fabricated at density of 120kg/m3. It is interesting to note that OPEFB fibre of 10 mm is to be considered as the optimum fibreboard as the SAC value was a= 1.0 above 6000Hz. For 14 ram and 16 mm fibreboard, 80% of sound absorption occurs beyond 2500 Ilz whereby for 10 mm and 12 mm board, 80% of sound absorption occurs beyond 400011z. It is observed that 16 mm and 14 mm sample reached unity at 4000 Hz whereas 10 mitt and 12 mm samples reached unity at 5500 Hz. 10 mm OPEFB fibre shows better pore opening, greater distribution of silica bodies and bundle of hollow sub-fibres which enhance the absorption rate. Thus, OPEFB fibre can be used to replace existing synthetic material as a sound absorber.