Effects of alkali and steaming on tensile strength of aren (arenga pinnata) fiber

The aim of this research is to investigate the alkali treatment and steaming influence on mechanical properties of Aren frond fiber. The presence of surface impurities and the large amount of hydroxyl groups makes natural fiber less compatible for composite materials reinforcement. Effort to remove the impurities can be done by few treatment that consist of physical, chemical and mechanical treatment. First, Aren frond single fiber were subjected to alkali treatments with 1%- 5% NaOH for a period of 4 - 7 hours to room temperature and followed by steaming 1 - 2 bar in pressure. Treatment of alkali and alkali-steaming combination can increase cellulose content. The tensile tests showed that the alkali and steaming treatment combination resulted the highest tensile strength of Aren frond fiber by 512 MPa. Then the impurities in surface fiber single effect interfacial stress and tend decrease bonding strength. These results show that the combination of alkali treatment and steaming can increase mechanical properties of Aren frond fiber.