Flexural strength of car spoiler materials made from rattan fiber composites

Abstract

This study aims to obtain the flexural strength of the material of automobile spoiler products obtained from the free market that are made of plastic materials. The values of the strengths obtained are used as comparative data for the development of automobile spoiler products based on composite materials of epoxy rattan fibers. Flexural strength testing refers to ASTM D 730-03. Based on the research results, the flexural strength of spoiler product from plastic material is 55.72 ± 3.53 MPa, while the flexural strength of spoiler product made of epoxy rattan fiber composite material is 45.37 ± 0.89 MPa. The difference between the two flexural strength results is 8.9%. The results of SEM testing on the spoiler material show that the material has a little void due to the manufacturing process that can reduce the power of the spoiler product. Voids also occur in composite material of epoxy rattan fibers due to manufacturing imperfections. Based on the data of the flexural strengths obtained, it can be concluded that the epoxy rattan fiber composite material can potentially replace the plastic material in the manufacturing of spoiler products. The results of this study can be used as a reference in the development of car spoiler products.