Study of mechanical properties of fiberglass polymer composite material mixed with West Papua-Indonesia sago palm fiber

Abstract

West Papua has been one of the largest sago-producing regions in Indonesia, with sago trees primarily used for daily needs by the community, including house walls, roofs, and food. Composite materials have taken various forms, including fiber, sheet, and particle reinforced, or self-reinforced polymer matrix, ceramic matrix, or metal matrix composites. This research focuses on polymer composite materials composed of natural and synthetic fibers combined using an epoxy resin. The materials used include sago midrib fiber, fiber glass type Woven Rofin 600 (WR), and a resin-catalyst solution (Epoxy Resin type BQTN-EX 157, Hardener type MEPOXE). An alkaline solution of NaOH and H₂O at 4.5% and the percentage volume of matrix material with sago sheath fiber, each sample being 95%:5%, have been applied. Matrix variation has been explored in this study. Results have shown that the composite material combining natural and synthetic fibers with matrix variation has exhibited a low tensile strength of 36,560 J and a high tensile strength of 66,440 J. The impact strength for the composite material combining natural and synthetic fibers with matrix variation has been found to be low at 10.87 J and high at 15.3 J.