There are many types of natural fiber sources that come from plants or vegetation, such as hemp, straw, wood, rice husks, barley, wheat, rye, grass, cogongrass, kenaf, empty oil palm bunches, sisal, coir, water hyacinth, kapok, mulberry paper, raphia, banana fiber, pineapple leaf fiber and papyrus.
Among the many natural fibers, bamboo fiber is one of the most promising, because besides its strength and stiffness with low density, it is economical, has a short growth cycle, and is highly available.
This bamboo fiber has the potential to be an alternative or substitute for synthetic fibers because of its superior mechanical properties (fiber tensile strength reaches 710 MPa), competitive price, environmentally friendly, abundant availability in Indonesia (120 species), short harvest period (4 – 5) years and low density (0.8 g/cm3 ).
This was explained by Martijanti in an open session for the promotion of the Doctoral Study Program in Materials Science, FMIPA UI, which was held on Thursday (7/4/2022) in the Hall of the Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory Building, FMIPA UI, Depok.
The superiority of bamboo fiber is the background for his research to develop it into a natural fiber-based material as a substitute for synthetic fiber material.
He poured the results of his research into his dissertation entitled “Study of Fabrication Process Parameters and Mechanical Properties Characteristics of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites for Prototype Accessories Otomotif”.
In his dissertation summary, he explained that the research he conducted was to develop and optimize the alkalization process parameters and characterization of bamboo fiber and fabrication of bamboo fiber composites with polymer matrices for applications. accessories otomotif.
“This research is grouped into 3 stages with an experimental method, namely the first stage is to carry out the alkalization process by varying the parameters of concentration, temperature, time and type of bamboo. The second stage is to produce bamboo fiber from two selected types of bamboo, as raw materials for composite fabrication. The third stage of research is to carry out composite fabrication and product characterization from”This research is grouped into 3 stages with an experimental method, namely the first stage is to carry out the alkalization process by varying the parameters of concentration, temperature, time and type of bamboo. The second stage is to produce bamboo fiber from two selected types of bamboo, as raw materials for composite fabrication. The third stage of research is to carry out composite fabrication and product characterization from accessories automotive, then compared with the SNI 03 – 2105 – 2006 standards and products accessories aautomotive products on the market”. Martijanti explained her research method in front of the chair of the session and the examination team.
Furthermore, he said that the results of his research could be a recommendation for polymer composite materials (polypropylene) reinforced with bamboo particles as an alternative or replacement for composite materials reinforced with synthetic fibers (glass fibers) or pure polymer materials that can be applied to particle boards such as panel boards or automotive accessory products, namely cover engine motor.
The research he conducted has succeeded in meeting the qualifications of particle board standards (SNI 03 – 2105 – 2006) and meeting the qualifications of engine cover products on the market and made from pure polypropylene.
The level of technological readiness (TKT) resulting from the research is an assessment that describes technological readiness on a scale of 1 to 9, where one level is interrelated with another level and becomes the basis for the next level.
The TKT regulation for research results was issued by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, namely the Regulation of the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Number 42 of 2016. The results of this research activity, if the TKT measurement is carried out, based on a scale of 1 to 9, can be included in TKT 6, namely: the model or prototype has been tested in a relevant environment.
The results of this study were then continued to achieve TKT 8 and carried out for mass production in collaboration with the industry. Even this research product has also succeeded in substituting the composition of the engine cover raw material made from 100% pure polypropylene to 30% bamboo particles and 70% polypropylene, at a competitive price. The advantages of products made from polypropylene-bamboo particle composites produce products with more environmentally friendly raw materials and higher strength.
During her research, this mother of three received support from industry, who were also her collaborators, in the form of inkind namely permission to use equipment during the research process. The industries are PT Artic Zeca Raya Tagerang, PT Beton Perkasa Wijaya Tagerang, PT Mega Komposit Indonesia Cikande Serang Banten, and Cahaya Plastindo Cengkareng West Jakarta. Therefore, he is very grateful and expresses his gratitude to the supporting parties.
For her achievements, Martijanti earned a Doctorate with a Very Satisfactory predicate under the guidance of Dra. Ariadne L. Juwono, M.Eng., Ph.D. as promoter and Dr.Ir. Sutarno, MT. as Co-Promoter. The lecturer at Jenderal Achmad Yani University successfully completed her Doctoral studies in 5 years.
