LAUSR

Abstract In this study, the effects of benzoylation treatment on SPF were discussed. Five different parameters of SPF were compared, which were untreated, NaOH-pretreated, and benzoyl-treated SPF at 10, 15, and 20 minutes soaking time. The physical properties showed that chemical treatment had caused decolouration of SPF, which 20 minutes soaking time showed the brightest brownish colour, while the untreated had the darkest black colour. Significant reduction in diameter was found on benzoyl-treated at 15 minutes compared to untreated SPF at 344.35 μm and 480.33 μm respectively. The diameter reduction was supported by images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which impurities were observed on the surface of untreated SPF compared to rough surface of benzoyl-treated SPF. Significant increment in tensile strength was found for all treated SPF compared to untreated SPF with the highest tensile strength of 173.99 MPa showed by benzoyl-treated SPF in 15 minutes. Analysis on the thermal properties showed that all treated SPF had lower degradation temperature due to the removal of impurities and moisture during chemical treatment. In general, different soaking time did not affect significantly on the thermal properties of fibres. The change in elemental groups of SPF was not observed before and after the treatment disregards different soaking time for benzoylation treatment. Pertaining the analyses conducted on all the properties of SPF in the current study, it can be suggested that 15 minutes soaking time for benzoylation treatment exhibited the best properties of SPF to be used as reinforcement in composites.