ABSTRACT
Kenaf fibers were used in composites as health problems were on the rise because of the use of asbestos in reinforcement of cement and concrete matrices. According to T. Hojo et al., all the natural fibers used unsaturated polyester (UP) as a matrix, which were bamboo/UP, jute/UP, and kenaf/UP. According to Omar Faruk et al., the natural fibers in polymeric composites increased the various properties by fiber treatment. The raw material was separated into two parts: untreated and treated raw material. There are two chemical treatment involved in the procedure; pretreatment and silane treatment. The treated kenaf fiber composites performed better than raw kenaf fibers, as the silane treatment eliminated the hydroxyl groups from the kenaf fibers, which had enhanced the interfacial bonding between the fiber and UP matrix. In order to increase mechanical properties of the composites, the kenaf fibers were treated by silane.
