Effect of Fiber Treatment on the Fiber Strength of Kenaf Bast Fiber as Reinforcing Material in Polymer Composite

Abstract

The use of natural fibers at high percentages of loading in thermoplastic composites for the production of sustainable and green materials in consumer goods, furniture, automotive industry and construction industry is emerging. Several studies have been conducted by many researchers to improve the mechanical properties of the fibers and the fiber-matrix interface for better bonding and load transfer especially when high fiber loading is used. The natural fiber hydrophilic properties make the poor interface and poor resistance to moisture absorption when used to reinforce hydrophobic matrices. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of different surface treatment namely magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the properties of kenaf fiber for different molarities. Morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and tensile properties of kenaf fibers after different surface treatment are evaluated. Results showed that the treatment on kenaf fibers has removed the hydroxyl group in cellulose and increase the surface roughness which resulted in the improvement of the tensile properties of kenaf fibers as compared to untreated kenaf fibers.