Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber was treated with a solution of 2wt% - 10wt% NaOH for 30mins - 150mins and the Tensile Strength, Toughness, Modulus of Elasticity, Yield Strength and Ductility were studied using response surface methodology. The results reveal that mercerization of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber increases the Modulus of Elasticity up to eighteen times, the yield strength about eight times, Tensile strength about six times and Toughness about six times. The optimum concentration and time for most of the mechanical properties was a NaOH concentration of 6wt% and treatment time of 90mins. Treatment time has the most significant effect on fiber mechanical properties among the two properties studied. The optimum NaOH concentration and time from this study is recommended for mercerization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber prior to use in composite manufacture.
