Study of Mechanical Properties of Waru Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

This study aims to determine the appropriate matrix material and examine the mechanical properties of composite materials reinforced with waru fiber, using polyester, epoxy, and bisphenol as matrix materials. The composite material manufacturing process was carried out using the lay-up method with a composition of 70% resin and 30% waru fiber. Mechanical properties were determined using a tensile testing machine according to the ASTM D3039 standard. The mechanical properties of the polyester matrix composite material showed a strength of 30.76 MPa, an elastic modulus of 2131.53 MPa, and a strain of 2.71%. The epoxy matrix composite material exhibited a strength of 41.71 MPa, an elastic modulus of 2491.86 MPa, and a strain of 1.81%. The bisphenol matrix composite material had a strength of 22.05 MPa, an elastic modulus of 344.45 MPa, and a strain of 2.61%. The matrix material that is most suitable for the waru fiber reinforcement is bisphenol resin, which significantly enhances the composite material's strength by 4.26 times compared to the matrix material's strength. In contrast, the polyester and epoxy matrix materials showed a reduction in strength, which was lower than the strength of the matrix material itself.