Grain size effect on tensile and flexural strength of particulate composites reinforced with Acropora waste

Abstract

Abstract The engineering materials for the construction of cars, ships, planes and other are still dominated by metal materials. However, in recent years the use of metal has begun to decrease and replaced by non-metallic materials such as ceramic and composites. The advantages of ceramic and composite materials compared to metals are good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and lower density. Recently the use of composites tends to change from synthetic fiber composites to natural fiber composites because the composite waste of natural fibers is easily decomposed after unused. In this study, the fibers used as a reinforcement of composites were replaced by particulate of Acropora waste. The aims of this study were to obtain baseline data for further development of applied research, in particular, the mechanical properties of composites that will be used as materials for automotive components, such as door panels, dashboards, and seat backs. This study used unsaturated polyester as the matrix, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as a hardener, with the fibers from the waste of Acropora reefs. The composites were produced by press hand lay-up techniques, with the variation of particulate grain size of 40, 100, and 200 mesh, meanwhile the particulate weight fraction was kept 30% (w/w). The results showed that maximum tensile strength about 23 MPa reached at particulate grain size 100 mesh. Maximum flexural strength around 89 MPa occurred at particulate grain size 40 mesh