ENHANCED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL FIBER BAMBOO/ PINEAPPLE LEAF/ COCONUT HUSK REINFORCED COMPOSITES FOR APPLICATION IN BIO-BOARD
Suryani Salim
Abstract
In this work, an experimental study of the behaviour of bamboo fiber/pineapple leaves/coconut fiber reinforced with epoxy resin is presented. The properties of the material were tested using a universal testing machine and crack surface structure through scanning optical and electron microscopy with the material combined with epoxy resin to become a hybrid composite material to determine the best characteristics of the tensile test properties treated with 6%. NaOH on every fiber. The results showed that the fiber mixture between bamboo/pineapple leaves and coconut fiber showed an increased tensile strength of 304.7 MPa compared to bamboo/pineapple leaves and 293.6 MPa compared to pineapple/coconut fiber leaves 268.2 MPa and the lowest Polyester was 109 MPa. The morphological appearance of each combined fiber brings diffusion of the polymer matrix to the porous fiber surface where the polymer matrix is compacted in a strong bond, causing the presence of bamboo fibers that have a high cellulose content which can replace apple failure. Pine leaves and coconut fiber and make hybrid composites not only as a strong material but also biodegradable.