Tensile Properties of Bamboo Strip Reinforced-Epoxy Matrix Composite

Composite is a combination of two or more materials, where one type materials is mixed into another type of materials. Combining several different phases will create a material with performance better than the earlier phase of the constituent. In this study, a composite consisting of a polymer matrix by using a type of epoxy thermosets, reinforced using natural bamboo. The bamboo species used in these tests were Gigantoacloa Apus, age 3 - 4 years, collected from Bogor Indonesia. The bamboo were cut into lumber strip fiber parts using a cleaver and hand saw. The strip was cut by knife to thicknesses of 0.6 mm - 0.8 mm and width 1.5 mm - 1.8 mm. The types of bamboo weave are plain weave, with laminate size 300 mm x 300 mm x 1 mm. The manufacture process was by hand lay-up end cut with a laser, according to ASTMD 3039-08 standards. Where each sample taken five specimens, furthermore, the tension test process. The yield stress on the specimen has a value of 11.05±0.55 MPa. The result of the maximum tensile stress on the specimen without alkali treatment has a value of 15.43±1.14 MPa. Keywords: composite, bamboo, orientation angle, tensile strength.