Palm fibers were immersed in sea water for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks prior to application as reinforcement of green biocomposite. Instead of common resin matrix, natural sago starch was applied as the matrix compound. The immersion treatments had significantly affected fibers surface morphology and interfacial bonds of fiber and the matrix as observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The quality of interfacial bonds became higher by additional duration of the sea water immersion. The best interlocking surfaces of fibers and matrix appeared in the composite with 4-week immersed fibers, indicated by disappearance of gaps between fiber and matrix. The morphology of fibers surface interlocking process was clearly seen during the duration of immersion.
Effects of sea water immersion for palm fiber in relation to surface morphology, roughness and bonding between the fiber and sago matrix were observed. Duration of immersion varied in 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and then dried at room temperature for 3 hours continued by oven at 80 °C for 6 hours. SEM and roughness arithmetic tests were applied to see surface morphology, roughness and bonding between fiber and the matrix. Result shows fiber morphology and roughness varies by the duration of immersion. The surface roughness increases as immersion continues along with fiber - matrix bonding improvement. The maximum duration of 4 weeks fiber immersion resulted in the best interlocking of matrix and fibers, as the slits between them disappear.
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