Pemanfaatan Micro-Fiber Cellulose (MFC) dari Limbah Tetrapak Sebagai Filler Komposit Polimer Resin Epoksi

Abstract

This research is related to the application of MFC extracted from Tetrapak waste, which is then used as an epoxy resin composite reinforcing filler. The extraction of MFC from Tetrapak cartons aims to remove lignin from the cellulose content, resulting in MFC fibers with high cellulose content. The separation process is conducted chemically through alkalization and bleaching. The removal of lignin content from the MFC fibers in this research was successful, as evidenced by the FTIR test results discussed herein. The MFC will then be incorporated into the matrix to strengthen the composite material in terms of its mechanical properties. This research will also utilize silane as a coupling agent between the MFC fibers and the epoxy resin. The concentration variations of MFC added to the composites used in this research are 1%, 2%, and 3% MFC. The effect of silane as a coupling agent will only be investigated on composites with 1% MFC reinforcement. Characterization of the composite samples is carried out through FTIR tests, SEM, and mechanical tests (tensile and impact tests). Based on the SEM test results of the composites, it was found that the addition of silane to the composite can improve the surface adhesion bond between MFC fibers and epoxy resin. From the tensile test on composites containing MFC fibers, the presence of silane was found to increase the tensile strength, maximum strain, and Young's modulus of the composite material.