ABSTRAKEceng gondok atau dikenal sebagai gulma perairan merupakan serat alamyang berpotensi sebagai bahan dasar komposit. Sifat mekanik yang tinggi danketersediaan yang melimpah dapat menjadi serat dalam komposit. Pada penelitianini eceng gondok diberi perlakuan permukaan dengan silane coupling agent agarmerekat pada resin epoksi. Eceng gondok kering ditekan dingin dan tekan panasdengan variasi suhu. Eceng gondok tekan panas suhu 1100C menaikan kekuatantarik (28,36 N/mm2). Perlakuan permukaan dengan perendaman silane couplingagent 5, 10, dan 15 menit meningkatkan sudut kontak dengan resin epoksi.Komposit eceng gondok tekan panas dengan perendaman 15 menit memilikikekuatan bending yang tertinggi (20.524 N/mm2). Pada patahan komposit, hasilobservasi SEM menunjukan pengaruh penambahan silane coupling agent yangsangat signifikan.

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ABSTRACTWater hyacinth is an aquatic weed which has potential of natural fibre as raw

material composite. High mechanical properties and availability are the reason

water hyacinth can be natural fibre in composite. In this experiment, surface of

water hyacinth treated by silane coupling agent for adhere with epoxy resin. Dry

water hyacinth has cold pressed and hot pressed with temperature variation. Water

hyacinth which has hot pressed with temperature 1100C increased the tensile

strength (28,36 N/mm2). Surface treatment by using silane coupling agent

immersion 5, 10, and 15 minutes increases the contact angle with epoxy resin.

Composite which use water hyacinth by immersion 15 minutes had the highest

bending strength (20.524 N/mm2). On the fracture of composites, SEM

observations showed the influence of the addition of silane coupling agent was

very significant.