Pengaruh Fraksi Berat Serat Terhadap Kekuatan Bending Komposit rHDPE-Cantula

Abstract

Number of fibers contained in the composite (weight fraction) effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. The weight fraction has an impact on the amount of fiber that can support the weight and quality of the bond between the fiber and the matrix. Thus, setting the weight fraction is important to obtain a composite with optimal strength. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fiber weight fraction of the bending strength of the composite rHDPE-Cantula. Composites were made by rHDPE plastic acts as a matrix and cantula fibers as reinforcement. Hot press method used in process of making a composite. The parameters used were 170ºC of pressing temperature, 15 minutes of holding time and 50 bar of pressing pressure. In this study, weight fractions of fiber in variations were 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Dimensions of bending specimens and testing procedures are referring to ASTM D790. The quality of the bond between the fiber and the matrix was studied using SEM photograph of bending fracture surface. The test results showed that the bending strength increases up to 30% weight fraction and decreased the weight fraction above. The highest bending strength of 27.55 MPa was achieved in 30% weight fraction and the lowest value of 6.96 MPa bending strength was achieved in 10% weight fraction.

Keywords : Composit rHDPE-cantula, Bending the composite, The effect of weight Fraction, Weight fraction, variation