KARAKTERISTIK KEKUATAN IMPAK DAN KEKERASAN HYBRID BIOKOMPOSIT BERBASIS EPOKSI YANG DIPERKUAT SERAT SABUT KELAPA DAN SERAT SINTETIS

Abstract

Using natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composite materials provides several advantages because of their low density, biodegradability, and easy recycling. However, its mechanical properties are still below that of synthetic fibers. Therefore, to improve the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced biocomposite, combining it with synthetic fiber co-reinforcement is necessary. This article studies a laminated hybrid biocomposite reinforced coconut coir and synthetic fibres using an epoxy resin matrix. Hybrid biocomposite is formed by hand layup using reinforcing coconut fibre, with various synthetic fibers in the namely E-glass, synthetic fabric, and rubber sheet. The reinforcement is laid out with various variations, namely HBK-1, HBK-2, and HBK-3. Impact strength, hardness and density tests were carried out to study the characteristics of the hybrid biocomposite. The impact test results show that the HBK-1 variant has the highest impact strength of 0.05 J/mm2. Meanwhile, hardness testing and density measurements showed that the HBK-3 variant produced the highest values, 14.96 HB and 1.29 g/cm3. The test results show that the basic material properties of each co-reinforcement and the number of layers affect the impact strength and hardness of the hybrid biocomposite. The research results show that innovative coconut fibre will be beneficial for the development of biocomposite material technology and environmental aspects

Keywords

• hybrid biocomposite
• coconut fiber
• synthetic fiber
• impact strength
• hardness