PERFORMANCE OF HYBRID COMPOSITES REINFORCED BY NATURAL FIBERS FROM PINEAPPLE LEAVES AND PANDAN DURI AS MATERIALS FOR MAKING TOYOTA AVANZA 1.5 G MT CAR BUMPERS

In an automobile, the bumper is a crucial structure designed to absorb impact. It is specifically engineered to withstand low-velocity collisions, typically using lightweight metals such as aluminum. However, with advancements in automotive technology, composite materials have increasingly been adopted for bumper manufacturing. Composites offer several advantages over metals, including ease of fabrication and good mechanical strength. A composite consists of a reinforcement (fiber) and a matrix. This study aims to evaluate the performance of hybrid composites reinforced with natural fibers derived from pineapple leaves and pandan duri (thorny pandanus) for use in car bumpers. Hybrid composites combine two types of natural fibers arranged in different orientations within a polyester resin matrix. The research employed an experimental method, which included specimen fabrication, fiber treatment using NaOH immersion, and impact testing based on the Charpy method in accordance with ASTM D256 standards. The parameters analyzed include void volume fraction, impact toughness, and fracture patterns. Test results were presented in graphical form and analyzed descriptively. The findings are expected to offer insights into the potential of natural fiber composites as efficient and sustainable automotive materials. Based on the tests, the highest average impact energy (EI) was recorded for a fiber volume fraction of 0.5 with a 0°/0° fiber orientation, yielding 17.013 Joules. The lowest average impact energy was found at a fiber volume fraction of 0.4 with a 0°/90° orientation, measuring 1.861 Joules.