Effects on Tensile and Morphology Properties of Casuarina Equisetifolia Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites

摘要

New knowledge in findings potential usage of natural fiber as new material in composite technology has been increased gradually in years and these natural fiber materials are well known as competent material which can become an alternative material to the conventional and synthetic materials for suitable applications. In this research, Casuarina equisetifolia leaf was used as biobased fiber and unsaturated polyester composite as the matrix due to its natural surface roughness without any chemical treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various weight loadings of Casuarina equisetifolia in unsaturated polyester composites on the tensile test and morphological studies. The composite samples were fabricated by using press machine with mould dimension of (15x15x0.3) cm. From the tensile test results, tensile strength of the composite samples decreases with the increment of Casuarina equisetifolia by weight loadings. The surface morphology of the fractures composite samples was then analyzed using the microscopy technique (SEM) and found the evidence of fractured fiber breakage and voids content of the samples. Base on the result obtained, the tensile strength at 30% up to 50% weight loading of Casuarina equisetifolia has the potential to be used in non-structural applications.