Fabrication and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Sago Pith Waste Fiber Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite

¹ Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Sarawak, Malaysia
² Faculty of Engineering and Technology, iCATS University College, 93350 Sarawak, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study investigates the development and characterization of sustainable composites reinforced with sago pith waste (SPW) fibers and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer. The research addresses the underutilization of SPW, a byproduct of the sago starch industry, by evaluating its potential as a reinforcement material in polymer composites. The mechanical properties, surface morphology, and fiber-matrix interactions of SPW/PVA composites were examined at fiber concentrations of 25wt%, 50wt%, and 75wt%. Results indicated that 50wt% SPW fiber content yielded the highest tensile strength of 10.45 MPa, while 75wt% content showed highest value of Young’s modulus at 85.19 MPa. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed improved fiber alignment and surface roughness after alkaline treatment, though agglomeration occurred at higher concentrations of fiber content. This study demonstrates the viability of SPW as an eco-friendly reinforcement for applications in packaging and construction, contributing to sustainable waste management and material development.