Abstract
Kenaf is a nonwoody fibrous plant, and its fibre can be potentially used as a reinforcement in the matrix to produce biocomposite materials. The properties of biocomposite materials are highly dependent on the reinforcing material and the matrix used as a binder. This study used kenaf fibre as a reinforcing material with different compositions (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) and different fibre lengths (1 cm and 3 cm) in the matrix using the casting process. Low viscosity epoxy resin (635 thin epoxy resin) with a viscosity of 6 poise was used as the matrix. The results showed that the highest flexural strength, impact strength and shore hardness were obtained at a 30 wt.% kenaf fibre composition with a 1-cm kenaf fibre length, namely, 85 MPa, 338 KJ/m2 and 98 SHD, respectively. The length of the fibre in the matrix affects the mechanical properties of the resulting biocomposite. This condition is caused by kenaf fibres with a length of 1 cm being more dispersed in the matrix than fibres with a length of 3 cm.
Keywords: Kenaf fibre; biocomposites; mechanical properties