THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPOSITE REINFORCED HYBRID FIBER MUSA ACUMINATA STEM)HIBISCUS TILIACEUST BARK WITH FILLER LIQUID RUBBER AS VEHICLE BUMPER.

The characterized of the polyester composites rein)forced of the hybrid fiber musa acuminata stem fiber (MASF)-hibiscus tiliaceust bark fiber (HTBF) with liquid rubber filler was studied. The object of research is the polyester composite material, hybrid natural fiber reinforcement and filler Carboxyl Terminated Butadiene Acrylonitryle (CTBN). The polyester composite material which is used as a vehicle bumper, is easily broken and has low heat resistance so that its shape easily changes/ shrinks due to heat. This research aims to develop the ten)sile strength, impact toughness and heat resistance of poly)ester composites. The reason for using the MASF-HTBF hybrid fiber as a reinforcement for polyester composite materials is because MASF and HTBF are natural fibers that have great potential to be developed to improve the mechanical properties of polyester composites, as substitutes for synthetic fibers. In this study, the conditions of MASF and HTBF were given alkaline treatment by immers)ing them in 5 % NaOH solution for 24 hours then drying. The combined/hybrid ratio between the MASF and CTBF volume fractions is: 5 %: 25 %, 10 %: 20 % and 15 %:15 %. To increase impact toughness, CTBN filler is added with variations of 5 %, 10 %. The mechanical characteristics of the specimens were carried out by means of a tensile test and an impact test. The change in mass or shrinkage as a result is tested by TGA. The results showed that the MASF-HTBF hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composite material with CTBN filler has better mechanical properties than single natural fibers, so it is important to develop it further as a material for making vehicle bumper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]