Tensile evaluation and thermal characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol film with varying oil palm ashes content

Composites consisting of a polymeric matrix and renewable resources have attracted scientific attention due to the idea of sustainable development. The objective of this study was to blend the polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and oil palm ashes (OPA) using solution casting approach. The results revealed that increasing the OPA loading in PVOH film would decrease both tensile strength and elongation at break of the blended films. The morphology of the tensile fractured surface was examined which supported the result obtained from tensile properties. Also, the thermal characteristics of PVOH/OPA films were studied. The glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature were increased when the OPA loading was increased. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of PVOH/OPA film was higher than the unfilled PVOH film.