Kenaf Core Fiber/Unsaturated Polyester Resin Biocomposites: Effect Of Chemical Treatment On Mechanical And Physical Properties

In this study, the effect of chemical treatment on kenaf core fiber (KCF)-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) biocomposite was investigated using different concentrations of NaOH treatment. The percentage concentration used in this study is 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% of NaOH. The composites were characterized according to their mechanical and physical properties. For mechanical properties, tensile testing was used, and for physical properties, water absorption were conducted. The result shows that the KCF/UPE biocomposite with the 2.5% NaOH treatment demonstrated the highest tensile strength and modulus. A water absorption study revealed that 5% of NaOH-treated KCF/UPE biocomposite showed the lowest percentage of water absorption compared to the untreated KCF. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was also used to characterize the chemical analysis before and after NaOH treatment on KCF.
Overall, it can be concluded that alkaline treatment successfully enhanced the mechanical and physical properties of KCF-reinforced UPE biocomposites.
Keywords: Kenaf core fiber (KCF), unsaturated polyester resin (UPE), mechanical
properties, physical properties.