Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) Fiber As Alternative Matting In Making Fiberglass

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The growing environmental awareness led to the insight on the use of natural fibers as a sustainable alternative in the composite industry. Continuous research and development in the reinforcement of natural fibers in making composites like fiberglass panels is at its highest trend for engineers and researchers. All of these are for the goal of producing a cost effective with acceptable mechanical properties natural fibers reinforced composites. With the same objective, in this study, the researcher utilized the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) fibers as alternative matting in making fiberglass panels for different industrial application.

METHODS

The researcher used descriptive and experimental research design in constructing the product, conducting the quality testing, testing the hypothesis and systematically analyzing the data gathered from the ratings of 30 respondents composed of teachers, parents and fiberglass makers from Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan, Laguna. The statistical tools used were the weighted mean, standard deviation, and ANOVA (F test).

RESULTS

In terms of the Moisture Expansion Test, samples had increased its dimensions with an average percentage of 2.78 %. With regard to the thickness-swelling test of the product, samples increased their dimensions with an average value of 0.83 %. The water Absorption Test of Snake Plant Fiberglass gave the water absorption percentage of the samples an average percentage of 0.22%. The results indicated that the product was water resistant as it can only absorb very little amount of water for a day. However impact test results for snake plant fiberglass suggested that the product could withstand greater forces as the data yields that with 2.75 lbs, 4.96 lbs and 6.61 lbs, recorded descriptions are "no damage”, "slightly deformed”, "deformed" , and "having a crack" . With regard to the buckling point, it was recorded that the product could withstand loads until 250 N before it buckled. It was also found out that there was no significant difference among the ratings made by teachers, parents, and fiberglass makers on the acceptability of Snake Plant Fiberglass in terms of quality, while there was a significant difference on the acceptability of Snake Plant Fiberglass in terms of strength and durability.

DISCUSSIONS

The results suggested that Snake Plant Fiber, which served as alternative matting in making fiberglass, have various uses aside from the focus of this study. The product could be used as construction materials such as decorative tiles, window panes etc. Snake plant fiberglass could also be used as alternative materials in making boats, ships, aeronautic materials and the like which uses fiberglass. Researchers were encouraged to use organic materials other than snake plant fiber as reinforcement on such materials.