Abstract
The use of natural fibers as composite reinforcement has various advantages, including as substitute for artificial fiber, low price, able to reduce sound, environmentally friendly, has low density, good fit and ability to absorb impact energy, making it possible to use it as a vehicle accessory such as a rear bumper vehicle. This study aims to investigate the impact toughness performance of the fiberglass matrix composite polyester (FMCP) reinforced fiber Musa acuminata stem fiber (MASF), with a volume fraction of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Polyester matrix type 157 is used BQTN and G3253T, MEKPO catalyst. The impact toughness test was carried out by using the charpy method impact test instrument, observing the microstructure of the occurrence of fracture by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composite impact test specimen was 12.7 thick mm refers to the ASTM D 256 standard, produced by the hand layup method. The most optimal volume fraction impact test at a volume fraction of 20% MASF: 80% Matrix, with an impact energy of 14.47 J, impact toughness 0.094 J/mm2. The results showed that the addition of MASF increased the impact toughness of the composite by 14.69% compared to composites 0.0122 J/mm2. Based on SEM observations, it can be seen that the 20% MASF volume fraction of the bonds between the matrix and the fibers are perfectly integrated. The results showed that the addition of MASF increased the impact toughness of the composite by 14.69% compared to composites 0.0122 J/mm2. However, if a volume fraction ratio above 20% MASF is used, the impact toughness is decreased.
Highlights
The polyester matrix composite reinforced natural fibers present a great potential application in the automobile industry, especially in the bumper of automobiles, bus and trucks
The rear bumper is one part of the vehicle that has a very important role, apart from being aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing to attract consumers, the bumper functions as a collision damper from the rear that occurs in the vehicle
The material used as the rear bumper often gets damaged during a collision, so it requires a material that has good impact toughness, is light, ductile and corrosion resistant
Summary
The polyester matrix composite reinforced natural fibers present a great potential application in the automobile industry, especially in the bumper of automobiles, bus and trucks. Use of natural fibers as, coconut, sisal, rami, sugar-cane pulp, jute and pineapple as reinforcement in polymeric material had an accelerated growth. Natural fibers present low cost, are biodegradable, recycled, no poisonous and can be incinerated They are being used as reinforcement in polymeric and substitute synthetic fibers partially as asbestos, Kevlar, boron, carbon, nylon and glass. In spite of these good mechanical characteristics, they present a high cost, are abrasive to the processing equipment’s, possess high density, generate products with very high recycling cost, besides some of those fibers commit human health [1, 9]
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