A Effect of Elephant Grass Fiber Volume Fraction on the Tensile Strength and Morphology of Agricultural Biomass-Based Epoxy Matrix Composites

Pengaruh Fraksi Volume Serat Rumput Gajah terhadap Kekuatan Tarik dan Morfologi Komposit Bermatriks Epoksi Berbasis Biomassa Pertanian

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of elephant grass fiber (Pennisetum purpureum) volume fraction (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) on the mechanical and morphological properties of epoxy matrix composites. While conventionally limited to livestock feed, this research explores the fiber's potential as a sustainable engineering reinforcement. The composites were fabricated using the hand lay-up method after treating the fibers with a 5% NaOH solution for 2 hours. Tensile testing was performed according to ASTM D3039, and morphological analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that increasing the fiber volume fraction improved tensile strength and elastic modulus up to an optimum value at 20% fiber content, reaching 13.02 N/mm² and 772.90 MPa, respectively. Conversely, elongation decreased with higher fiber content. SEM analysis revealed that the 30% fiber fraction led to decreased mechanical properties due to voids, fiber pull-out, and uneven fiber distribution. This study concludes that the 20% volume fraction provides the optimum mechanical performance, offering great potential for agricultural engineering applications, such as lightweight structural components and post-harvest machinery panels.