Effect of Different Conditions of Sodium Chloride Treatment on the Characteristics of Kenaf Fiber Bundles

Currently, composite board manufacturing using natural fibers has the potential to expand owing to environmental awareness. To produce a composite board, treatment is required to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the natural fibers. In this study, sodium chloride (NaCl) was used for the chemical treatment. However, studies on chemical treatments using NaCl are limited. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of kenaf fibers after NaCl treatment. The NaCl treatment concentrations were 1, 3, and 5 wt.% at room temperature, with soaking durations of 1, 2, and 3 h. The tensile strength, strain, and Young's modulus were measured to evaluate the mechanical properties of the fibers. The fiber bundle diameter, weight change owing to treatment, and contact angle were determined to analyze the effect of NaCl treatment. The kenaf fiber bundle treated with 5 wt.% NaCl for 3 h exhibited the highest tensile strength, Young's modulus, reduction in fiber bundle diameter, weight change, and decrease in contact angle compared to those of untreated fiber bundles. The tensile properties of the fiber bundle exhibited a tendency to decrease with increasing fiber bundle diameter. Increasing the soaking duration from 1 to 2 h did not result in a significant decrease in the fiber bundle diameter or an increase in tensile strength. However, a further increase in the soaking duration from 2 to 3 h resulted in a considerable decrease in the fiber bundle diameter and an increase in the tensile strength.