KARAKTERISASI KETANGGUHAN IMPAK DAN KEKERASAN KOMPOSIT LAMINAT HIBRID KENAF MENTAH / (PP DAN HDPE) DENGAN VARIASI PERBANDINGAN PP DAN HDPE
Abstract
Natural fibers can be used as filler for producing thermoplastic automotive parts, such as exterior panel and car bumpers. Advantages of thermoplastic composite include light weight and can be recycled. There are two kinds of hybrid composites, namely hybrid composites use two different types of fibers in one matrix, and hybrid composites use two different types of matrices with one fiber. There have been many studies discussing hybrid composites with two different types of fibers, but research on hybrid composites using two types of matrix is still relatively limited. The purpose of this study is to produce kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid matrix composite material with PP and HDPE and to determine the effect of PP-to-HDPE ratio on impact toughness and hardness of kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid matrix composites.
Before fabrication, kenaf fiber was first washed using running water and soaked for 24 hours in distilled water. Then kenaf fiber was cut to ± 6 mm in length. The fiber and matrix volume fractions are 30% and 70%, respectively with a variation of PP to HDPE ratio of 1: 1, 2: 1, and 1: 2 by volume. Composite was fabricated manually, where 14 layers of kenaf / PP / HDPE system were produced by means of hot press technique at 165 ℃ - 180 ℃ and 1800 psi for 1 hour. Then the composite material was tested for impact based on the ASTM D 5942 standard and the E 10 hardness test, the fracture specimen was analyzed by optical microscopy.
The results show that the kenaf / HDPE system has the highest impact toughness of 0.022 J / mm2, while for the hybrid system, the highest impact toughness is 0,014 J / mm2 for the PP-to-HDPE ratio of 1 : 2. The highest hardness value of 14.16 HBN was obtained for the kenaf / PP system, while the highest hardness value for hybrid matrix system 12,78 HBN for the PP-to-HDPE ratio of 2:1, optical micrographs show that in the kenaf fiber composites with HDPE matrix, the fibers are distributed evenly in the matrix and there is no void.