Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Thermal Analysis of Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Composite Polymer Foam

Abstract

Bagasse is a waste used as a new material for foam polymer composites as reinforcement. This waste is quite a lot and has not been processed properly to become new material. This waste is adopted as ordinary organic fertilizer, incinerated, or disposed of. For that reason, it needs further research investigation. Due to its advantages, further investigation into the best composition is needed to achieve a tough composite material. It is a lightweight material with high economic value and can be used to overcome environmental problems. Therefore, this research obtains the mechanical properties and thermal analysis of the composite polymer foam reinforced with bagasse fibers. Part of the matrix is a thermoset polymer polyurethane (BQTN 157), and the reinforcement part is bagasse fiber. Bagasse was local waste from traders around Langsa City in Indonesia. The bagasse waste was processed into the fiber. The bagasse composition on a percentage weight ratio. They were mixed with resin and foam ingredients, blowing agent, and catalyst and poured into casting pattern composite material. A mesh of bagasse fiber was the size of 80. Thermogravimetric Analysis has made All specimens that need a tensile test to obtain the material’s strength and thermal stability. The result has found that the specimen of polymeric foam composite material with 5% bagasse fiber was obtained based on the results. The tensile strength values are 19.5 MPa. A thermal stability condition changes temperature between 39.95°C – 516.55°C.