Water Absorption and Flexural Property of Unidirectional Polypropylene/Sumberejo Kenaf Fiber Composites

Kenaf fiber can be used as an alternative to synthetic fiber reinforcement in composites. This research was conducted in order to determine the flexural and diffusion properties of the composite by varying the fiber fractions. Before being used as a reinforcement, kenaf fiber was firstly treated with alkali treatment in NaOH solution for 24 hours. Polypropylene and kenaf fibers were fabricated with a hot press machine. The fiber fractions were 30 wt%, 40 wt%, 50 wt%, and pure polypropylene samples were also fabricated as a comparison. The highest flexural strength, the minimum water absorption and water content were found in the polypropylene/30 wt% kenaf fibre composites with the value of (4.77 ? 0.799) MPa, (3.61 ? 0.823)% and (0.192 ? 0.154)% respectively.