The Influence of Coconut Coir and Snake Fruit Fronds Mass on the Mechanical Properties of Biocomposites

Abstract

Coconut coir and snake fruit fronds are currently underutilized, which drives research to expand the benefits of these natural fibers. Both materials were alkalinized for 30 and 45 minutes in 1.25% KMnO4 immersion. The fiber mass was varied by 3 grams, 4 grams, and 5 grams. The goal of this study was to obtain tensile strength, strain, and Young's modulus using the ASTM D-630 test. The results showed that the highest tensile strength results in coconut fiber of 5.75 MPa for 5 grams and 30-min immersion. The strain of 14.8% for 45 minutes and 4 grams of fiber immersion, and a Young’s modulus of 0.47 MPa for 30 minutes and 5 grams of soaked fiber. Furthermore, the snake fruit fronds fiber demonstrated tensile strength of 18.26 MPa for 45 minutes and 5 grams of soaking fiber, strain of 16.5% for 30 minutes and 3 grams of soaking fiber, and Young’s modulus of 1.48 MPa for 30 minutes of soaking fiber.