Tensile Strength and Morphology of Sago Pith Waste-Polyester Composites

Abstract:

As the largest sago starch producer in the world, Indonesia has a very large amount of leftover waste from sago starch production, which is usually called sago pith waste (SPW). This large amount of waste has enormous potential to be utilized for other benefits and purposes. In this study, SPW was tested for use in manufacturing composite materials. The aim is to investigate the detailed properties of the composites that have SPW particles in them. Unsaturated polyester resin was used as the composite matrix, and three different SPW percentages were tested: 20%, 30%, and 40%. Tensile tests were performed on the composites, and three specimens were prepared for each SPW percentage variation. All nine specimens tested failed at the maximum given load. Either the maximum strain before the specimen failed or the ultimate tensile stress decreased with larger SPW percentages used in the composites. Further, SEM micrograph examination of selected fractured specimens successfully revealed the behavior and the morphology of SPW particles on the fractured surface.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1149)
• Pages: 23-29
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Gde2zz
• Online since: May 2025
• Authors: Luthfi Luthfi*
• Keywords: Fractured Surface, Sago Pith Waste, SEM Images, SPW Morphology, Tensile Strength, Unsaturated Polyester Resin

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