Pengaruh Perlakuan Alkali Terhadap Kekuatan Tarik Serat Buah Lontar

Abstract

Along with the rapid development of technology, it has encouraged the
discovery of several alternative technologies as a way to meet the needs of the
community. Especially in material materials, the materials needed are quality
materials and have high mechanical properties. Certain chemical treatments need
to be carried out on natural fibers to improve the compatibility of natural fibers as
reinforcements in composites. Chemical modification directly affects the fiber
structure and changes the chemical composition of the fiber, reducing the tendency
for moisture absorption by the fiber, so that it will provide a better bond between
the fiber and the matrix, this will produce better mechanical and thermal properties
of the composite. The results showed that the concentration of alkali solution
(NaOH and KOH) affected the tensile strength of lontar fiber. 5% NaOH treatment
produced the highest tensile strength of 606.567 MPa, while 10% KOH was
587.292 MPa. Fibers treated with seawater had the lowest tensile strength of 146
MPa. SEM results showed that the surface of the fiber treated with alkali was
cleaner.