Mechanical Properties on Sumberejo Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites with The Effect of Fiber Orientation
Resya Aulia Rahmadanti (a*), Ariadne L. Juwono (a), Seto Roseno (b)

(a) Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, West Java, Indonesia
(b) Center of Technology for Materials - Agency for The Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Building No.224 Kawasan Puspiptek, South Tangerang 15214, Banten, Indonesia

*Email: resya.aulia[at]ui.ac.id

Abstract

Tropical countries are very productive areas so that fiber plants are overgrown like in Indonesia. Natural fibers have many benefits, namely environmentally friendly, recyclable materials, flexible, and can be used as reinforcement in polymer composites. This research aimed to analyze the hardness, impact, and fire resistance properties on Sumberejo kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy composites with the fiber orientations of 0/0/0/0 dan 0/90/0/90. The kenaf fiber was alkaline treated before it was used as reinforcement and the composites were fabricated by Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion technique. Furthermore, the composite surfaces was observed for their morphology before and after the fire resistance test was carried out. SNI 01-4449-2006 was used as density standard for fiberboard and these composites were categorized as High-Density Fiberboard. The 0/90/0/90 Sumberejo kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy composites had the highest values of hardness, impact strength, and fire resistance, which are 72.4 HD, 33.03 J/cm2, and 14 mm/minute, respectively.

Keywords: Sumberejo kenaf fiber, Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion, fiber orientation, hardness, impact, flammability properties

Topic: Symposium on Physics and Its Application