Random short single BF as a reinforcement
material with average diameter of 17-20 m and 2.0-3.0 mm in length were obtained from chemically
with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and mechanically
treatments of long BF bundles produced from steam
explosion [3]. Long BF bundles were cut into 30-40
mm in length and dipped in aqueous solution of 5%
(weight/volume) sodium hydroxide for 60 minutes
and followed by mixed well for 20 minutes using a
home-use mixer. This mixture then washed using
flowing water followed by distilled water in several
times. Subsequently drained and dried using a
convection oven at temperature of 70
0
C for 4 hours
and obtained short single BF. Finally, the short
single BF blended using home-use mixer to get
randomness finer fiber which free from soft
cells powder attached on the BF surface. Fig. 1
shows an SEM photograph of random short single
BF reinforcement material used in fabrication of the
GC.