The Effect of Coconut Fiber Fiber Orientation with Polyester Resin on the Characteristics of Sheet Boards

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 56 views

The Effect of Coconut Fiber Fiber Orientation with Polyester Resin on the Characteristics of Sheet Boards

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. One of the promising alternatives is the use of composite boards made from polyester resins and coconut fiber fibers. These boards have shown great potential in terms of their mechanical properties, durability, and fire resistance. However, the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards is still not well understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the physical and mechanical properties of composite boards made from polyester resins and coconut fiber fibers.

Research Methodology

To measure the characteristics of the composite board, testing was carried out using three main methods: tensile testing, flexible testing, and impact testing. Tensile testing aims to determine the extent to which the board can withstand the tensile load before breaking. Flexible testing is used to determine the strength of the board when bent, and impact testing is used to assess the durability of the board against collisions. In addition, thermal analysis using the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) was carried out to determine changes in the critical temperature of the resulting composite board. For the Surface Morphological Analysis of the specimen, an Electron Microscope (SEM) scanning was used.

Experimental Design

The experiment was designed to investigate the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards. The variation of the composition and percentage of coconut fiber fiber used in this study was 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, with three types of fiber arrangements: unidirectional (unidirectional), transverse (cross), and random (random). The tensile testing, flexible testing, and impact testing were carried out on each specimen to determine their physical and mechanical properties.

Results and Discussion

The test results show that the most optimal percentage of coconut fiber fiber in tensile testing is 20%, with an average value of tensile force of 275.3 kg.f/cm². In bending testing, the unidirectional fiber arrangement with the same percentage, which is 20%, shows the highest bending strength reaching 556.4 kg.f/cm². Meanwhile, in the impact testing, the transverse fiber arrangement with a percentage of 20% reached a value of 3.86 joules/mm², showing good resistance to collisions.

Thermal analysis shows that the composite board undergoes changes in mechanical strength at an average critical temperature of 66 ° C. This is important because this temperature is a threshold that can affect the material endurance in practical applications. Furthermore, the SEM analysis shows that the surface of the specimen with a good fiber distribution tends to have little defects and void size between 5 to 50 μm. This shows that the orientation and setting of fiber affect the final quality of the composite board.

In testing the ability of the flame, the composite board with a percentage of 20% coconut fiber fiber shows optimal results, with the resistance of fire reaching 654.5 seconds at a distance of 5 cm. This indicates that the use of coconut fiber fiber can improve the fireproof nature of the composite board.

Conclusion

From the results of this study, it can be concluded that both the composition and percentage of coconut fiber fiber used in the manufacture of polyester resin composite boards has a significant effect on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the board. The selection of the right percentage of fiber and appropriate fiber orientation is very important to achieve optimal board quality, so that this composite board can be used as an alternative building material that is environmentally friendly and functioning well in the application as a wall panel. This study opens opportunities for further development in the use of natural materials as innovative and sustainable construction materials.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to investigate the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards with different types of polyester resins.
The use of coconut fiber fiber in the manufacture of composite boards should be explored further to determine its potential as a sustainable and environmentally friendly building material.
The development of new technologies and manufacturing processes should be investigated to improve the quality and performance of composite boards made from coconut fiber fibers.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be noted:

The experiment was designed to investigate the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards, but it did not consider the effect of other variables such as the type of polyester resin used.
The study was limited to a small number of specimens, and further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study.
The study did not consider the economic and social implications of using coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards.

Future Research Directions

Based on the findings of this study, the following future research directions are suggested:

Investigate the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards with different types of polyester resins.
Explore the use of coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards for other applications such as flooring and roofing.
Develop new technologies and manufacturing processes to improve the quality and performance of composite boards made from coconut fiber fibers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that the composition and percentage of coconut fiber fiber used in the manufacture of polyester resin composite boards has a significant effect on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the board. The selection of the right percentage of fiber and appropriate fiber orientation is very important to achieve optimal board quality, so that this composite board can be used as an alternative building material that is environmentally friendly and functioning well in the application as a wall panel. This study opens opportunities for further development in the use of natural materials as innovative and sustainable construction materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Coconut Fiber Fiber Orientation on the Characteristics of Sheet Boards

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards made from polyester resins and coconut fiber fibers.

Q: What are the main methods used to measure the characteristics of the composite board?

A: The main methods used to measure the characteristics of the composite board are tensile testing, flexible testing, and impact testing. Additionally, thermal analysis using the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Surface Morphological Analysis using the Electron Microscope (SEM) were also used.

Q: What is the optimal percentage of coconut fiber fiber in tensile testing?

A: The optimal percentage of coconut fiber fiber in tensile testing is 20%, with an average value of tensile force of 275.3 kg.f/cm².

Q: What is the highest bending strength of the composite board?

A: The highest bending strength of the composite board is 556.4 kg.f/cm², which is achieved with a unidirectional fiber arrangement and a percentage of 20% coconut fiber fiber.

Q: What is the critical temperature of the composite board?

A: The critical temperature of the composite board is 66 ° C, which is determined by thermal analysis using the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA).

Q: What is the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the surface morphology of the composite board?

A: The SEM analysis shows that the surface of the specimen with a good fiber distribution tends to have little defects and void size between 5 to 50 μm.

Q: What is the resistance of fire of the composite board?

A: The resistance of fire of the composite board is 654.5 seconds at a distance of 5 cm, which is determined by testing the ability of the flame.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: This study has significant implications for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. The use of coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards can improve the fireproof nature of the board and reduce the environmental impact of construction.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the small number of specimens used and the limited consideration of other variables such as the type of polyester resin used.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions include investigating the effect of coconut fiber fiber orientation on the characteristics of sheet boards with different types of polyester resins, exploring the use of coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards for other applications, and developing new technologies and manufacturing processes to improve the quality and performance of composite boards made from coconut fiber fibers.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include the use of coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards for building construction, flooring, and roofing.

Q: What are the benefits of using coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards?

A: The benefits of using coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards include improved fireproof nature, reduced environmental impact, and improved mechanical properties.

Q: What are the challenges of using coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards?

A: The challenges of using coconut fiber fibers in the manufacture of composite boards include the high cost of production, the limited availability of coconut fiber fibers, and the need for further research and development to improve the quality and performance of composite boards made from coconut fiber fibers.