Application of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber to Improve the Physical And Mechanical Properties of Composite Railway Brake Block Materials

摘要

One of the natural fiber considered to replace syntetic fiber is Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) fiber which offer advantages such as environment friendly and widely available especially in indonesia. This study investigates the characteristics of railway brake block with OPEFB fibres compare to synthetic fiber. All the test results were compared to the technical requirement of PT. Kereta Api Indonesia (PT. KAI) and evaluated using Extension Evaluation Method (EEM) to select and get the best sample. From the evaluation results using EEM, one of non commercial sample using OPEFB fiber give a better results compare to commercial sample using synthetic fibers. So it can be concluded that OPEFB fiber as reinforcement for railway brake material could improve physical and mechanical properties of the material, environment friendly and could replace synthetic fibers.