Studi Kekuatan Tarik Komposit Serat Sabuk Kelapa Antisymmetric Laminates

Abstract

The utilization of natural fiber-based composite materials is increasingly developing as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic materials. Coconut sheath fiber is an agricultural waste with potential as reinforcement in polymer matrices due to its strength and flexibility. This study focuses on the tensile strength of coconut sheath fiber composites in antisymmetric laminate configurations, which have not been widely explored. Such configurations are expected to enhance mechanical performance, particularly in lightweight structural applications. The study aims to analyze tensile characteristics and understand the influence of laminate orientation on the mechanical properties of the composite. The problem addressed is how tensile strength behaves in coconut sheath fiber antisymmetric laminates with fiber orientations of [-45°/+45°/-45°/+45°] and [-30°/+30°/-30°/+30°]. A quantitative research method was used, consisting of the following stages: (1) fiber preparation, (2) fiber soaking, (3) mold fabrication, (4) composite fabrication, (5) specimen preparation, and (6) tensile testing. The results showed that the highest average tensile stress was obtained in the +45°/-45°/+45°/-45° orientation, with a value of 10.578 MPa, a tensile strain of 2.452%, and an elastic modulus of 0.004 GPa. The positive contribution of this study lies in revealing the potential of coconut sheath waste as a reinforcing material for composites with promising mechanical performance under specific laminate configurations. However, the study is limited in the range of fiber orientations explored and does not include evaluations under other mechanical loads such as bending and impact. Further studies are recommended to investigate a wider range of fiber orientations and to conduct multiaxial mechanical testing to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the composite behavior.