Empty fruit bunches and wastepaper together with urea formaldehyde (UF) were
evaluated to figure out potential applications in engineering field. The purpose of this project is to
determine the mechanical properties of a new high density board. This composite was manufactured
by hot-press technique with 3 different ratios i.e. 10:0, 6.67:3.33 and 9.33:0.67. The mechanical
properties were evaluated using the GOTECH/AI-7000M Electronic Mechanical Testing. Tensile tests
were carried out according to ASTM D638. The results were analysed to calculate the tensile
strength. Tensile strength at break ranged from 4.712 N/mm2 to 12.941 N/mm2 while hardness
number obtained ranged from 6.76 RHN to 75.84 RHN. This fibreboard has better properties when
reinforced with wastepaper compared to that of 100% empty fruit bunches. It is also found that the
hardness number is higher, which means that this fibreboard can withstand any load not more than
75.84 RHN. Finally, through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the surface structure of the new
high density board has been studied in terms of their surface morphology.