#TITLE_ALTERNATIVE#

• Main Author: SILANDRO PUTRI (NIM : 13705013); Pembimbing 1 : Dr.Ir. Hermawan Judawisastra; Pembimbing 2 : , SHEDY
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/17213
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Nowadays, plastic waste problems have been widely studied for the applications and development of environmentally friendly materials. Most of plastic wastes are thermoplastic polymers such as Polypropylene (PP). Plastic <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> wastes recycle for thermoplastic composites is an alternative solution to overcome the problem. Natural fiber reinforcement might be used to produce environmentally friendly composites. This preliminary research aims to <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> produce Kenaf - PP composite by incorporating the use of alkalization, pressure varition and the use of MAPP (Maleic Anhydride grafted Polypropylene) coupling agent. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Polypropilene plastic folder was used to represent the plastic waste, and combined with Kenaf woven preform. Composites were produced by means of Hot Press Molding. The use of raw kenaf fiber, fiber alkalization, MAPP coupling agent and pressure variations (50 bar and 75 bar) was applied during composite processing. Physical properties (fiber volume fraction and void volume fraction), mechanical properties (tensile strength and shear strength) and composite microstructure were tested and analyzed. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Kenaf-Polypropilene composites was successfully produced. The composite thickness was 3.5-4.0 mm and showed visually good appearance. Composite fiber volume fraction was 26.6% -30.7%. Composite void volume fraction using alkalized fiber was the lowest (4.25%) while other composites were 5.24%-7.22%. Maximum composites tensile strength and shear strength were 15.71 MPa and 7.14 MPa consecutively. Fiber alkalization increased the composite shear strength up to 64%. The effect of pressure variation and the use of MAPP to the composite strengths was not significant. This was due to poor impregnation of Polypropylene into the fiber bundles and the presence of considerable void. Those imperfections also produced the composite tensile strength less than the strength of Polypropylene matrix ( 27.95 MPa).