Study The Properties Of Mixed Kenaf And Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Oil Palm Fibre Insulation Paper

Cellulosic fibre composites from agriculture waste product bast fibre such Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) oil palm has lower cost than normal softwood fibre and they are great alternative to be considered in insulation papermaking. For this purpose, EFB fibre, kenaf fibre and their blend were used to fabricate electrical presspaper samples through a laboratory papermaking process. The study of physical, mechanical and electrical properties such as cellulosic structure, tensile strength, AC voltage breakdown and lightning impulse breakdown strength were conducted according to the standard testing method of insulation IEC60243-1:2013. From this research, the physical structure, mechanical and electrical behaviour of mixed EFB and kenaf fibre insulation paper are comparable to Kraft paper and qualified the basic criterion to be an electrical insulation paper as required by IEC60641-2 standard. The purposes of this insulation paper produced is to be use in electrical transformers, therefore the same test should be repeated to the insulation paper that have undergone aging process at normal and accelerated operating temperatures.