KARAKTERISASI KOMPOSIT BERPENGUAT SERAT PELEPAH PISANG SEBAGAI MATERIAL BOX KACAMATA

Considerations in choosing banana stem fiber as an alternative in reducing the use of metal materials or synthetic fibers because they are more environmentally friendly and easy to obtain. Utilizing unused waste from plantation products has a lighter weight because banana stem fiber has quite good mechanical properties. This research aims to determine the mechanical properties of composites reinforced with banana stem fiber with random fiber orientation and using the Eposchon Epoxy Resin A + Hardener EPH 555 matrix as a replacement material for eyeglass cases made of plastic. Banana stem fibers were soaked in 5% NaOH for 2 hours, then composites were made using the hand lay up method with fiber weight fractions of 5%, 10% and 15%. Composite materials produced from the three variations in weight fractions were each subjected to 3 tests, namely tensile tests to ASTM D3039 standards, impact tests to ASTM D256 standards, and bending tests to ASTM D790 standards. The research results showed that the highest tensile strength at the 10% fiber weight fraction was 15.71 MPa, the highest impact value at the 5% weight fraction was 0.611 Joules, and the highest bending strength was obtained at the 5% fiber weight fraction at 69.9 MPa. Judging from the tensile, impact and bending strength of the banana stem fiber composite, it is feasible and meets the requirements to be an alternative material for eyeglass cases made from Polypropylen (PP) plastic.