The Effect of Immersion Time of Coconut Fiber in Limestone Water on Tensile Strength and Surface Morphology

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effect of immersion of coconut fiber in limestone water on surface morphology and tensile strength, including chemical reactions during immersion. Coconut coir fibers were immersed in a solution of limestone water for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours, with a mass fraction of limestone of 5%, then dried for 1 hour. Coconut fiber was characterized by a single fiber tensile testing machine, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results showed that the percentage of 5% with 8 hours of immersion in the fiber had a cleaner surface morphology with a tensile strength of 234.62 MPa. Therefore, as an alternative to improving the characteristics of a single thread, immersion in limestone water needs to be applied.