The Effect of Gel Coat Layer Composition on Bending Strength of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Abstract

This research was a report of the effects of the gel coat against bending stress kenaffiber composite/polyester before and after immersed in sea water. The research method that wasapplied in this study is by immersing the test specimen using a composite absorption for 1 to 6months followed by bending test. The results were compared between the gel coat code K1, K2,K3, K4 and K5. The results showed that the most excellent bending stress was containing gelcoat 0:35 Reolosil QS-102 kg with 10 kg of resin SHCP 268BQTN (K2) with the value of thebending stress is 19.98 MPa after immersed for 6 months. Bending stress before immersed is43.1299 MPa, imply that it was decreased by approximately 53.6%, compared with othercompositions that decrease to 54.1% (K3). The effect of the composite surface before and afterimmersed was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).