This research work was to study the improvement of toughness of polylactic acid (PLA) and the cost reduction of raw material with addition of untreated and treated oil palm fiber (OPF). The detail of this work was divided into two parts. The first was to find the suitable condition for surface treatment of OPF with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The second part was to study the effect of untreated and treated OPF contents on the mechanical properties of PLA. For surface treatment of OPF NaOH concentrations and immersion times were varied from 0 to 15 wt% and 0 to 30 min respectively. Aspect ratio (L/D) and surface of untreated and treated OPF were investigated by using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively. The result suggested that the most suitable condition for surface treatment of OPF was NaOH concentration of 10 wt% at immersion time of 20 min. Treated OPF was occurred microporous and had more rough as compare to untreated fiber. For the effect of untreated and treated OPF contents on the mechanical properties of PLA it was evaluated by tensile and impact testing. SEM was used for investigation of interfacial adhesion and fiber dispersion. The results showed that tensile modulus and impact strength tend to increase with adding 2.5 wt% OPF content and slightly changed at higher OPF content whereas ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increasing fiber content. Surface treatment with NaOH led to enhancement of mechanical properties of composite due to improve interfacial adhesion and fiber dispersion.

The research aims to investigate on the yarn spinning production using processed Borassus fruit fibres bleached and soaked in water before arranging into fibres of proper size in preparation for the yarn spinning from Borassus fruit fibres using handspun core-spinning technique. The study found that yarns produced by such method are uneven with loose and tight twists and multiple knots along the threads. Furthermore Borassus fruit yarns have rough and coarse texture. Scientifically tested the properties of the yarns indicate that the highest yarn count of this Borassus fruit yarns is at 665.00 Tex while the lowest is at 383.33 Tex. Its tensile strength counts at the maximum level of 24.33 Newton with the elongation level of 21.90 Newton. The average tenacity comparing with yarn count is 0.04 Newton/Tex. The produced yarns consist of blending Borassus fruit fibres and Polyester at the proportion of 83: 18. After the spinning process Borassus fruit yarns are developed into textile weaving together using cotton as warp and Borassus fruit fibres as weft. The finished product was analysed showing that the warp and weft’s tension strength are at 581 Newton and 595 Newton respectively while the tenacity are at 65.05 Newton and 78.95 Newton in consecutive order. The blending proportion of woven textile is 49:45:6 of cotton Borassus fruit fibres and Polyester accordingly. Hence the study shows that the production of Borassus yarns is promisingly producible and the woven textile from such yarns could be used for further product development such as household textile.

This research aimed to develop compound of prototypes polymer bio-composites from cassava starch (CS) reinforced with agriculture residue the rind of durian fruit. Cellulose extracted from durian rind using hot sodium hydroxide and bleaching treatment with hydrogen peroxide. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose components from durian rind were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Cassava starch bio-composite films were prepared by solution-casting technique which includes 0-50 wt% of durian rind (DR) or durian rind cellulose (DRC) as reinforcement agent and urea/glycerol (GU ratio = 50:50) as plasticizer. The physical and chemical properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS)/DR and TPS/DRC bio-composite films were investigated. The percent elongation at break of bio-composite films were increased when compared to control CS film. From 15TPS/DR (80/20) films showed increase the elongation at break from 7.28 to 14.00% when compared to CS control films. While 15TPS/DRC (80/20) bio-composite films exhibited that the highest elongation at break to 77%. Durian fiber (DR or DRC) loading decreased the water absorption of plasticized bio-composite films. Furthermore incorporation of DRC in composite can be enhanced film stability in water better than DR. Therefore the effect of DRC reinforcement agent on TPS bio-composite films can improve water resistance and mechanical properties especially in terms of flexibility. Finally the waste of bio-composite films was degraded completely in soil burial test.

This research aimed to develop paper from oil palm empty fruit bunch (Fb) oil palm mesocarp (M) and paper mulberry (P) with chitosan coating to be used as single-use paper bag for dry food products. The optimal pulp preparation conditions for Fb M and P fibers were boiling in 25 25 and 15% NaOH solution at 170 170 and 100°C for 3 hours respectively. The optimal H2O2 concentrations for bleaching of Fb M and P pulps were 40% 40% and 0.2% respectively. The obtained pulps were used to prepare papers with the basis weight of 109 g/m2 . The papers consisted of Fb M and P pulps at ratios of 70:0:30 (FbP) 0:70:30 (MP) and 35:35:30 (FbMP). It was found that FbP paper showed superior physical and/or mechanical characteristics than those of MP and FbMP. FbP papers were then coated with chitosan solutions (0.2-0.6%) to further improve their mechanical properties and reduce their water absorption characteristics. The optimal concentration of chitosan was 0.4%. This study showed that all three types of pulps could be used to produce papers that had equal or superior mechanical- and water adsorption properties as compared to those of commercially available paper bags made from wood pulp.

The purposes of this research were to study and development of plastic fiber furniture : Ruean-Thai Jak-San Group Sri-Pran Sawang-Ha Ang Thong with the study from the test of sampling group of Ruean-Thai Jak-San Group Sri-Pran Sawang-Ha Ang Thong with appropriate qualifications ideal to enter the conversion process with the research results demonstrated hereunder. The results of the research were with findings in respect of Production Analysis Standard Criteria in respect of Design with the mean of 3.99 rated as Good Level. And Satisfaction of the consumers of Ruean-Thai Jak-San Group Sri-Pran Sawang-Ha Ang Thong with the mean of 4.43 rated as Very Good Level. Consecutively in respect the Production with the mean of 3.86 rated as Good Level. Overview with the mean of 4.26 rated as Good Level.