Pengaruh Lapisan Serat dan Resin Epoxy Terhadap Kekuatan Impact Komposit Serat Eceng Gondok

Abstract

A composite is a material structure formed from a combination of two or more
materials, processed on a macroscopic scale and physically fused. To improve the
characteristics of natural fibers in composites, a NaOH alkalization process is carried out
which influences the fiber composites.
Real experimental  strength of the composite. The results
showed that Alkalization of NaOH in water hyacinth fiber with variations in resin and fiber
fractions (40%, 50%, 60%) and concentration (5% and 10%) affected the impact value.
Specimens with a 60% resin and fiber fraction that experienced 5% alkalization showed the
lowest impact, while a 40% resin and fiber fraction that experienced 10% alkalization had
the highest impact. These findings indicate that NaOH alkalization significantly affects
water hyacinth fibers, potentially increasing strength due to the removal of lignin,
hemicellulose, and pectin. Loss of these components can make the fiber more brittle and
susceptible to damage. In testing the resin and fiber fractions (40%, 50%, 60%) with
varying concentrations (5% and 10%) when mixing fiber with matrix, it was found that the
60% resin and fiber fraction with a concentration of 5% had the lowest impact strength of
61 J/mm2, while the resin and fiber fraction of 40% with a concentration of 10% has the
highest strength of 82 J/mm2. The results of this research highlight the importance of
optimizing the volume fraction of fiber and epoxy matrix to improve the impact
characteristics of water hyacinth fiber composites.
Keywords: composite, alkalization, volume fraction, fiber, water hyacinth