Study of Mechanical Properties the Effect Adding Sugarcane Fiber to Polyester Matrix Composites

Abstract

Composite is a combination of two or more materials that form a new material. The components of the composite are matrix elements and reinforcing to become a material. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical strength of composites with sugarcane fiber reinforcement of 0%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5% on tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength of polyester matrix composites. The technique for making the composite uses hand lay up. The materials used include sugar cane fiber, polyester resin, hardener. The tools used are resin molds, wire brushes, paint brushes, cutting tools, and scales. The research method is by adding polyester resin to 0%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5% sugar cane fiber, then dried using solar heat. After that, tensile tests, bending tests, and impact tests are carried out. The results of testing the mechanical properties of sugar cane fiber composite materials, with the results of the largest average tensile test data on the addition of 0% fiber of 30.1 N/, so that the addition of sugar cane fiber does not have a significant effect on tensile strength. In the bending test results produces the highest average bending strength at the addition of 1.5% sugarcane fiber of 27.09 N/, so that the addition of sugarcane fiber has a significant effect on bending strength. In impact strength, it produces the highest strength at the addition of 3.5% sugarcane fiber, which is 0.016 N/, so that the addition of sugarcane fiber has a significant effect on impact strength.