Study Of Composite Hardness With Ganoderma Boninense Mushroom As Filler

Abstract

This study describes the hardness testing of two composite materials with the same fillers, namely ganodermaboninense mushroom particles (with variations in volume and particle size). This mushroomcan cause rot at the base of oil palm tree so that it can damage the oil palm tree. Matrix used as adhesive are polyester resin and epoxy resin. Mushrooms soaked with alkali (NaOH) for 1 hour to remove dirt and sap which will reduce the bond between the matrix and particles, after that heat it in oven at temperature of 60 degrees Celsius for 12 hours to remove the water content.Then the mushrooms are made into particles using a blender at rotation of 28000 rpm and sieved with mesh of 20, 30, 40, and 50. A mixture of mushroom particles and matrix stirred and poured into a glass mold. After 24 hours the mold can be opened and the specimen has been formed. The test results showed composites with variations of mushroom volume and epoxy resin matrixis harder than polyester resin matrix with a percentage between 23.25% to 64.51%.Whereas with variations in particle size, composites with epoxy resin matrix are also still harder with a percentage between 9.2% and 22.85%. Even so the difference in hardness is not too significant because the unit of hardness is microvickers. The test results were also found that addition more than 5% of ganoderma mushrooms will decreasecomposite hardness. While the variation of mesh filler composites is almost not shows differences in the value of hardness.