Permanganate Treatment Optimization on Tensile Properties and Water Absorption of Kenaf Fiber-Polypropylene Biocomposites

Kenaf fiber has been studied for biocomposites reinforcement due to its renewable and carbon neutrality. Meanwhile, polypropylene sheets are easily processed and considered a prospective thermoplastic matrix source for biocomposites. Hence, the combination of both materials is expected to form an attractive biocomposite. This study aimed to optimize permanganate treatment on tensile properties and water absorption of kenaf-reinforced propylene biocomposites. It thermally tested kenaf fibers and PP using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) before performing compression molding at 185°C and 70 bars using the film stacking method. The kenaf fiber variables were untreated, alkaline pre-treated, and alkaline-permanganate treated to low concentrations of 0.01 to 0.05 wt% of KMnO4. Furthermore, this study conducted Yarn tensile test and Weibull distribution to find a strength variability statistically. Composite tensile and burn tests were performed to obtain tensile strength, constituent materials, and void volume fractions. Composites fractography was implemented to examine the effect of permanganate on composite water uptake behavior using scanning electron microscopy. This study used low concentration in permanganate treatments than several previous studies. The results showed that biocomposites have a tensile strength of 125 MPa, higher than in previous studies that found a value less than 80 MPa. This study has contributed to the green optimization treatment using lower chemical concentrations but with better results on impregnation, interfacial, water absorption, and mechanical properties of kenaf or polypropylene composites.