<![CDATA[This study examines the effect of variations in the volume fraction of abaca banana fiber (Musa textilis) on the mechanical properties and fire resistance of composites with a polyester resin matrix. The fibers were treated with an alkali solution of 5% KOH before being mixed into the resin with volume fractions of 10%:90%, 15%:85%, and 20%:80%. The tests included tensile testing (ASTM D-638), impact testing (ASTM A-370), flame spread testing (ASTM D-635), and macro photography. The tensile test results showed an increase in tension from 13.75 MPa at 10% fiber to 19.1 MPa at 20% fiber, accompanied by a decrease in strain and an increase in elastic modulus to 1.71 GPa. The impact test showed the highest impact energy absorption at 20% fiber content of 10.54 Joules with an impact value of 97.488 J/m². The macro photo results showed that more fibers increased the fiber-matrix interface bond, although voids were still found. In the flame spread test, the ignition time increased to 7.64 seconds and the flame spread rate decreased to 10.593 mm/minute at a fiber variation of 20%, due to the formation of an insulating char layer. Overall, the 20% abaca fiber volume fraction proved to provide the best mechanical properties and fire resistance, making it the recommended optimal composition for the development of environmentally friendly natural fiber composites.]]>
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