Study Of Fracture Of Carbon, Agave, And Rami Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites Using Sem And Xrd Methods

Abstract

The development of composite materials in engineering is very rapid, as composite research results are able to compete with products made from metals or other materials. This study aims to determine the surface structure of fractures and the crystalline phase using SEM and XRD methods. The materials used in this test are carbon fiber reinforced polyester composite, agave fiber, and ramie fiber with three samples and different composition variations, namely with variations in the volume of carbon fiber, agave fiber, ramie fiber and matrix 10:15:15:60, 20:10:10:60, and 30:5:5:60. Mineralogical and crystallographic analysis with X-Ray Diffraction is one of the effective analytical methods to describe rocks and certain chemical compounds in solid form because the preparation process is easy, cheap and fast. Quality control of the preparation results and analysis of the results can be seen from the XRD graph and is carried out by competent lab staff from the Material Characterization Laboratory of HKBP Nommensen University Medan. SEM testing is carried out to determine the structure of the fracture surface found in the material. SEM analysis is carried out in the mineral laboratory of HKBP Nommensen University Medan with a magnification of 0 - 1000x until the desired fracture shape is clearly visible. The test results clearly demonstrate a wide variety of fracture patterns, ranging from brittle and ductile fractures, fiber pull-out, and debonding. XRD analysis revealed that the crystalline phase in the composite material is amorphous due to the presence of hemicellulose, lignin, and impurities still attached to the fibers. The highest intensity value was obtained with a carbon fiber volume fraction of 30% agave, 5% ramie, and 60% matrix.