Effect of Palm Tree Fiber Orientation on Electrical Properties of Palm Tree Fiber-reinforced Polyester Composites

Abstract

The dynamic dielectrical analysis of short palm tree lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polyester composites was carried out with special reference to the effect of fiber orientation, frequency, and temperature. Measurements were performed in the temperature range 40—200°C and in the frequency range 1—100 kHz. Three relaxations processes were identified, namely the orientation polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in palm fiber, the relaxation process associated with conductivity occurring as a result of the carriers charges diffusion noted for high temperature above glass transition and low frequencies, and the interfacial or Maxwell—Wagner—Sillars relaxation that is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the palm fibers/polyester interfaces. The orientation of the fiber can strongly influence the dielectrical properties and interfacial polarization processes in composites.