Abstract
This study investigated the effect of heatingtime during heat treatment on mechanical and physical properties of the kenaf fiber and its composites. Kenafbast fibers were modified by heat treatmentat 140°C for2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 hours. Composites were fabricated by resin transfer molding process with unsaturated polyester as matrices and needle-punched kenaf fiber mat as reinforces. The fiberswerecharacterized by Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). FT-IR resultsshowedthe changesin intensity ofhemicelluloce wavelength (1736 cm-1). Besides XRD observation also confirmed the increase of cellulose content in kenafthat described to the increase of crystallinity index ofkenaf fiber with heat treatment. The single fiber strength investigation stated that the highest strength and modulus was obtained bykenaf fiber heated for10hours indrying oven. SEM observation showed the decreasing numbers of impuritieson thefibers surface with fiber treatment compared to untreated kenaf fibers. The flexural properties of composites showed a similar trend to fiber strength, but the fracture toughnesshas showedcontrary results.
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