Study of stinging nettle fibers as a reinforcing of composite materials based on its growing region

Abstract

Stinging nettle is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Urticaceae family, In Bali Indonesia called jelatang. This species is considered a weed in intensive agriculture as its fast vegetative growth and high densities enable increased spread and soil coverage. In Tabanan Bali Indonesia several places to grow are in Denbantas altitude 200-500 meters and in Bedugul altitude 1000 -1500 meters above sea level. Nettle fibers are natural fibers that can be utilized as reinforcement for composite materials. Natural fibers have been used worldwide as a potential replacement for glass fiber reinforced composites, over the last few years has been applied in the automotive sector, aircraft interior and interior of the building. Properties of the natural fiber is lighter, easier to handle, not abrasive, and low cost. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and the tensile strength of the fiber nettle based growing areas from Bedugul and Denbantas. The method used is a fiber tensile test equipment, fourier transformer infrared red (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the research of nettle fibers that stinging nettle from Denbantas has a better tensile strength than Bedugul nettle. The TGA test the visible fiber from Denbantas is superior when used as a composite reinforcement.