Mechanical properties of polyester composite reinforced fibers hybrid bamboo - Musa acuminata stem fiber as raw material of rear bumper vehicle

In the present study fiber hybrid (bamboo fiber and Musa acuminata stem fibers (MASF) were reinforced polyester composite, for enhancing mechanical properties. The natural fibers composite has gained its importance due to its low cost, substitute for artificial fiber, low price, able to reduce sound, environmentally friendly, has a low density, good fit and ability to absorb impact energy. It’s possible to use it as a vehicle accessory such as a rear bumper vehicle. This study aims to investigate the tensile stress-strain, elasticity modulus and the microstructure of fracture of polyester fiberglass composite reinforced bamboo fiber and MASF hybrid. Polyester matrix type 157 is used BQTN and G3253T, MEKPO catalyst. The mechanical properties test was carried out by universal testing machine (UTM) test instrument, observing the microstructure of the occurrence of fracture by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The test specimens produced the vacuum infusion method. The results of this study indicate that the addition of more MASF and the outer layer content can increase the tensile strength, elasticity modulus of polyester composites reinforced MASF with woven, random arrangement is better than that of polyester composites reinforced bamboo fiber. So that in the manufacture of polyester composites reinforced hybrid fiber the use of more MASF than bamboo fiber can provide better tensile strength and elasticity modulus. The configuration with the outer MASF layer can also increase the value of tensile strength, elasticity modulus on the specimen compared to the configuration with bamboo fiber outside. The microstructure of fracture for fiber for each configuration of MASF content there are long fibers and also in bamboo fibers there are fibers that are pulled out. The diameter of the bamboo fiber reinforcement is larger so that the load transfer is not as effective as MASF.