Abstract

Musa acuminata stem is an agricultural waste that has good economic potential. For this reason, efforts are needed to increase the saba banana tree not only as waste, but also to increase its function into natural fiber raw materials for polyester matrix composite reinforcement. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of Musa acuminata stem fibre (MASF) from North Lombok Regency, Indonesia Country as a reinforcement for polyester matrix composites. In this study, the fiber (specimen), taken from pseudo stem Musa acuminata, which consists of three layers: outer, middle and inner stem. The ratting process is done mechanically using a fiber extraction machine. To remove impurities in the fiber, alkaline treatment was carried out, by soaking for 24 hours in a 5 % NaOH solution. To determine the characteristics, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test was carried out for MASF morphology analysis, chemical compound content testing, heat resistance testing, and fiber tensile strength testing. The results showed that the MASF of the outer layer pseudo-stem has a strong character. Fiber morphology is different, between the outer, middle and inner layers pseudo-stems. The cellulose content (73.12 %) was higher than the fiber of Fimbristylis globulosa, hemp, jute, rice straw, wheat straw, seaweed, sorghum straw, coir, and alpha grass. Less resistant to heat degradation because mass loss occurs at a constant rate up to 245 °C. The highest MASF, in the outer pseudo-stem layer it is 40–50 cm from the base stem. Its characteristics are better than other natural fibers so that its potential can be further developed as a reinforcement for polymer matrix composites

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