Pengaruh Perlakuan Alkali Terhadap Wettability Serat Ijuk Aren (Arenga Pinata)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of alkali treatment (NaOH) with variations in concentration (0%, 2%, 3%, 4%, dan 5%,) and soaking time 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes on the wettability of palm fiber. Wettability measurements were carried out by observing the diameter of water droplets on the fiber surface. The results showed that the concentration of NaOH and soaking time had a significant effect on changes in droplet diameter. At a concentration of 0 without treatment, the droplet diameter reached 81.20 µm. At a concentration of 2%, the droplet diameter decreased to 40.01 µm 30 minutes, 38.84 µm 60 minutes, 42.57 µm 90 minutes, and 43.20 µm 120 minutes. The 3% concentration showed an inconsistent pattern with droplet diameters of 28.66 µm 30 min, 78.11 µm 60 min, 28.50 µm 90 min, and 66.21 µm 120 min. At a concentration of 4%, the droplet diameters varied between 41.37 µm and 74.61 µm. A concentration of 5% produced droplet diameters of 41.24 µm 30 min, 61.32 µm 60 min, 44.42 µm 90 min, and 60.65 µm 120 min. This study provides important insights into the optimization of alkali treatment for the application of palm fiber in composite materials.