Abstract:
The use of natural fibers as reinforcement in composites for technical applications has been a research subject for scientists during the last decade. There is a great interest in the application of kapok fiber as substitutes for glass fibers, motivated by potential advantages of weight saving, lower raw material price, and ecological advantages of using green resources which are renewable and biodegradable. Mechanical strength has been proven to improve with increase of amount of resin. However, excess resin produce brittle composite properties. Natural fiber properties also improved with chemical treatment. Sodium hydroxide is known to change the structure of natural fiber. In this research, kapok biocomposite will be fabricated with epoxy resin at different fiber-resin ratio and different concentration alkali treatment for the raw kapok. Then, the specimens tested by tensile strength test to determine which type of specimen is the strongest. . From this research, the optimum fiber-resin ratio for kapok composite is 1:20 ratio which produce 21.68 MPa for ultimate tensile strength (UTS). The optimum alkali treatment concentration is 3% of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) which produce UTS at 23.16 MPa, higher than non-treated kapok composite with the same fiber resin-resin ratio which has UTS of 19.25 MPa. 3% NaOH eliminate the lignin wall of kapok and not rupture the fiber. This gives a rough surface topography to the fiber. Hence, the resin can attached to the fiber efficiently.
