Palm Oil Biocomposites vs. Conventional Materials: A Technical Comparison

The Question We Always Get Asked

Whenever we present our palm biocomposite safety helmet to potential partners, the first question that always comes up is: "How strong is it compared to conventional ones?" A fair question — and we are always happy to answer it with data.

Testing Methodology

All testing was conducted at SNI-accredited laboratories following ISO 527 for tensile testing, ISO 178 for flexural testing, and SNI 8807:2018 specifically for safety helmets. The samples compared were:

• PalmTech BioComposite (EFB fiber + bioresin matrix)
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) — conventional helmet material
• Fiberglass (glass fiber reinforced polymer)

Test Results

In terms of tensile strength, our biocomposite recorded 187 MPa compared to ABS at only 45 MPa. For flexural modulus, our result (12.4 GPa) even surpassed standard fiberglass (10–12 GPa).

Most significantly, our material density is only 1.2 g/cm³, compared to ABS (1.05–1.2 g/cm³) and fiberglass (1.8–2.2 g/cm³). This means that for equivalent strength, our product can be made substantially lighter.

Advantages That Cannot Be Measured in a Lab

Beyond the technical figures, there is an equally important advantage: biodegradability. Conventional helmets at the end of their lifespan end up in landfills and persist for hundreds of years. Our BioComposite helmet can break down under active composting conditions within 3–5 years.