Characterization of Bark-Midrib Fibers using Chemical Treatment Variations as Reinforcement in Bark-Midrib Fiber Composites

Bark midrib are not fully utilized. Utilize the characterization of the fiber and process it into polymer composites with natural fiber reinforcement. The study was conducted using a variety of chemical treatments in the form of bark midribs without treatment, delignification treatment that is immersion using NaOH media concentration of 1%, 5%, 10% with 3 hours immersion time and bleaching treatment using H2O2 media 2% concentration with immersion time 30, 60 and 90 minutes. In obtaining suitable properties, tensile tests, impact tests, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, and Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) tests are performed. Optimal delignification treatment at 5% NaOH concentration with a tensile test value of 25.47 MPa (increasing 76.86%) and an impact test value of 11.95 kJ/m2 (increasing 11.45%). The optimal bleaching treatment at 90 minutes immersion with a tensile test value of 35.09 MPa (increased 36.36%) and impact test value of 13.77 kJ/m2 (increased 15.22%). The results of SEM images show that the bark midrib fiber composite without treatment has a lousy interface, delignification treatment with a reasonable good interface, and bleaching treatment with an excellent interface. FTIR test results showed that the bark midrib fiber composite without treatment had a cellulose component but hemicellulose and lignin levels still dominated. Based on the results of the study, bark midrib fiber with delignification chemical treatment using 5% NaOH for 3 hours followed by bleaching treatment using 2% H2O2 for 90 minutes is the treatment with the best results and then applied to a natural fiber composite product.